dataclasses for structured data

dataclasses are a great standard-library tool for plain data objects. They reduce boilerplate and make object fields easy to scan.

What are dataclasses?

from dataclasses import dataclass


@dataclass
class User:
    name: str
    email: str
    active: bool = True

This creates a readable data-first class without hand-writing __init__() and other common methods.

Why it is useful

dataclasses work especially well for:

• configuration objects
• parsed records
• structured function results
• values passed between modules

The field definitions stay front and center.

When not to use it

If a class is mostly about behavior, lifecycle management, or heavy custom initialization, a regular class may be clearer.

Rules of thumb

• Use @dataclass for simple structured data.
• Keep dataclasses focused on state.
• Prefer regular classes when behavior is the main story.