Constructor

A constructor is a function that initializes a newly allocated object.

Related concepts:  ClassObjectMethod

Closest Wikipedia entry:  Constructor (object-oriented programming) — In class-based, object-oriented programming, a constructor (abbreviation: ctor) is a special type of subroutine called to create an object. It prepares the new object for use, often accepting arguments that the constructor uses to set required member variables. A constructor resembles an instance method, but it differs from a method in that it has no explicit return type, it is not implicitly inherited and it usually has different rules for scope modifiers.

Misconceptions about Constructor

18 documented Misconceptions

CannotChainAttributeToObjectInstantiation

Method calls, and attribute accesses in general, cannot be chained to a constructor invocation.

InitCreates

__init__ must create a new object

InitReturnsObject

__init__ needs to return an object

NoEmptyInit

__init__ must do something

ObjectsMustBeNamed

A variable is needed to instantiate an object