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    Home»Machine Learning & Research»What Does Python’s __slots__ Truly Do?
    Machine Learning & Research

    What Does Python’s __slots__ Truly Do?

    Oliver ChambersBy Oliver ChambersJuly 20, 2025No Comments8 Mins Read
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    What Does Python’s __slots__ Truly Do?
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    What Does Python slots Do
    Picture by Creator | Canva

     

    What if there’s a method to make your Python code quicker? __slots__ in Python is simple to implement and may enhance the efficiency of your code whereas decreasing the reminiscence utilization.

    On this article, we are going to stroll by the way it works utilizing an information science undertaking from the actual world, the place Allegro is utilizing this as a problem for his or her knowledge science recruitment course of. Nevertheless, earlier than we get into this undertaking, let’s construct a stable understanding of what __slots__ does.

     

    What’s __slots__ in Python?

     
    In Python, each object retains a dictionary of its attributes. This lets you add, change, or delete them, nevertheless it additionally comes at a value: additional reminiscence and slower attribute entry.
    The __slots__ declaration tells Python that these are the one attributes this object will ever want. It’s form of a limitation, however it’s going to save us time. Let’s see with an instance.

    class WithoutSlots:
        def __init__(self, title, age):
            self.title = title
            self.age = age
    
    class WithSlots:
        __slots__ = ['name', 'age']
    
        def __init__(self, title, age):
            self.title = title
            self.age = age

     

    Within the second class, __slots__ tells Python to not create a dictionary for every object. As a substitute, it reserves a hard and fast spot in reminiscence for the title and age values, making it quicker and reducing reminiscence utilization.

     

    Why Use __slots__?

     
    Now, earlier than beginning the info undertaking, let’s title the rationale why you need to use __slots__.

    • Reminiscence: Objects take up much less house when Python skips making a dictionary.
    • Pace: Accessing values is faster as a result of Python is aware of the place every worth is saved.
    • Bugs: This construction avoids silent bugs as a result of solely the outlined ones are allowed.

     

    Utilizing Allegro’s Knowledge Science Problem as an Instance

     
    On this knowledge undertaking, Allegro requested knowledge science candidates to foretell laptop computer costs by constructing machine studying fashions.

     
    A real data project to understand Python slotsA real data project to understand Python slots
     

    Hyperlink to this knowledge undertaking: https://platform.stratascratch.com/data-projects/laptop-price-prediction

    There are three completely different datasets:

    • train_dataset.json
    • val_dataset.json
    • test_dataset.json

    Good. Let’s proceed with the info exploration course of.

     

    Knowledge Exploration

    Now let’s load one among them to see the dataset’s construction.

    with open('train_dataset.json', 'r') as f:
        train_data = json.load(f)
    df = pd.DataFrame(train_data).dropna().reset_index(drop=True)
    df.head()

     

    Right here is the output.

     
    Python slots examplePython slots example
     

    Good, let’s see the columns.

     

    Right here is the output.

     
    Python slots examplePython slots example
     

    Now, let’s test the numerical columns.

     

    Right here is the output.

     
    Python slots examplePython slots example
     

    Knowledge Exploration with __slots__ vs Common Lessons

    Let’s create a category known as SlottedDataExploration, which is able to use the __slots__ attribute. It permits just one attribute known as df. Let’s see the code.

    class SlottedDataExploration:
        __slots__ = ['df']
    
        def __init__(self, df):
            self.df = df
    
        def information(self):
            return self.df.information()
    
        def head(self, n=5):
            return self.df.head(n)
    
        def tail(self, n=5):
            return self.df.tail(n)
    
        def describe(self):
            return self.df.describe(embrace="all")

     

    Now let’s see the implementation, and as an alternative of utilizing __slots__ let’s use common lessons.

    class DataExploration:
        def __init__(self, df):
            self.df = df
    
        def information(self):
            return self.df.information()
    
        def head(self, n=5):
            return self.df.head(n)
    
        def tail(self, n=5):
            return self.df.tail(n)
    
        def describe(self):
            return self.df.describe(embrace="all")

     

    You may learn extra about how class strategies work on this Python Class Strategies information.

     

    Efficiency Comparability: Time Benchmark

    Now let’s measure the efficiency by measuring the time and reminiscence.

    import time
    from pympler import asizeof  # reminiscence measurement
    
    start_normal = time.time()
    de = DataExploration(df)
    _ = de.head()
    _ = de.tail()
    _ = de.describe()
    _ = de.information()
    end_normal = time.time()
    normal_duration = end_normal - start_normal
    normal_memory = asizeof.asizeof(de)
    
    start_slotted = time.time()
    sde = SlottedDataExploration(df)
    _ = sde.head()
    _ = sde.tail()
    _ = sde.describe()
    _ = sde.information()
    end_slotted = time.time()
    slotted_duration = end_slotted - start_slotted
    slotted_memory = asizeof.asizeof(sde)
    
    print(f"⏱️ Regular class period: {normal_duration:.4f} seconds")
    print(f"⏱️ Slotted class period: {slotted_duration:.4f} seconds")
    
    print(f"📦 Regular class reminiscence utilization: {normal_memory:.2f} bytes")
    print(f"📦 Slotted class reminiscence utilization: {slotted_memory:.2f} bytes")

     

    Now let’s see the end result.
     
    Python slots examplePython slots example
     

    The slotted class period is 46.45% quicker, however the reminiscence utilization is similar for this instance.

     

    Machine Studying in Motion

     
    Now, on this part, let’s proceed with the machine studying. However earlier than doing so, let’s do a prepare and check break up.

     

    Prepare and Take a look at Cut up

    Now we now have three completely different datasets, prepare, val, and check, so let’s first discover their indices.

    train_indeces = train_df.dropna().index
    val_indeces = val_df.dropna().index
    test_indeces = test_df.dropna().index

     

    Now it’s time to assign these indices to pick out these datasets simply within the subsequent step.

    train_df = new_df.loc[train_indeces]
    val_df = new_df.loc[val_indeces]
    test_df = new_df.loc[test_indeces]

     

    Nice, now let’s format these knowledge frames as a result of numpy desires the flat (n,) format as an alternative of
    the (n,1). To try this, we’d like ot use .ravel() after to_numpy().

    X_train, X_val, X_test = train_df[selected_features].to_numpy(), val_df[selected_features].to_numpy(), test_df[selected_features].to_numpy()
    y_train, y_val, y_test = df.loc[train_indeces][label_col].to_numpy().ravel(), df.loc[val_indeces][label_col].to_numpy().ravel(), df.loc[test_indeces][label_col].to_numpy().ravel()

     

    Making use of Machine Studying Fashions

    import numpy as np
    import pandas as pd
    from sklearn.linear_model import LinearRegression
    from sklearn.metrics import mean_squared_error 
    from sklearn.tree import DecisionTreeRegressor
    from sklearn.ensemble import RandomForestRegressor
    from sklearn.ensemble import GradientBoostingRegressor
    from sklearn.ensemble import ExtraTreesRegressor
    from sklearn.ensemble import VotingRegressor
    from sklearn import linear_model
    from sklearn.neural_network import MLPRegressor
    from sklearn.pipeline import make_pipeline
    from sklearn.preprocessing import StandardScaler, MaxAbsScaler
    import matplotlib.pyplot as plt
    from sklearn import tree
    import seaborn as sns
    def rmse(y_true, y_pred): 
        return mean_squared_error(y_true, y_pred, squared=False)
    def regression(regressor_name, regressor):
        pipe = make_pipeline(MaxAbsScaler(), regressor)
        pipe.match(X_train, y_train) 
        predicted = pipe.predict(X_test)
        rmse_val = rmse(y_test, predicted)
        print(regressor_name, ':', rmse_val)
        pred_df[regressor_name+'_Pred'] = predicted
        plt.determine(regressor_name)
        plt.title(regressor_name)
        plt.xlabel('predicted')
        plt.ylabel('precise')
        sns.regplot(y=y_test,x=predicted)

     

    Subsequent, we are going to outline a dictionary of regressors and run every mannequin.

    regressors = {
        'Linear' : LinearRegression(),
        'MLP': MLPRegressor(random_state=42, max_iter=500, learning_rate="fixed", learning_rate_init=0.6),
        'DecisionTree': DecisionTreeRegressor(max_depth=15, random_state=42),
        'RandomForest': RandomForestRegressor(random_state=42),
        'GradientBoosting': GradientBoostingRegressor(random_state=42, criterion='squared_error',
                                                      loss="squared_error",learning_rate=0.6, warm_start=True),
        'ExtraTrees': ExtraTreesRegressor(n_estimators=100, random_state=42),
    }
    pred_df = pd.DataFrame(columns =["Actual"])
    pred_df["Actual"] = y_test
    for key in regressors.keys():
        regression(key, regressors[key])

     

    Listed below are the outcomes.

     
    Python slots examplePython slots example
     

    Now, implement this with each slots and common lessons.

     

    Machine Studying with __slots__ vs Common Lessons

    Now let’s test the code with slots.

    class SlottedMachineLearning:
        __slots__ = ['X_train', 'y_train', 'X_test', 'y_test', 'pred_df']
    
        def __init__(self, X_train, y_train, X_test, y_test):
            self.X_train = X_train
            self.y_train = y_train
            self.X_test = X_test
            self.y_test = y_test
            self.pred_df = pd.DataFrame({'Precise': y_test})
    
        def rmse(self, y_true, y_pred):
            return mean_squared_error(y_true, y_pred, squared=False)
    
        def regression(self, title, mannequin):
            pipe = make_pipeline(MaxAbsScaler(), mannequin)
            pipe.match(self.X_train, self.y_train)
            predicted = pipe.predict(self.X_test)
            self.pred_df[name + '_Pred'] = predicted
    
            rating = self.rmse(self.y_test, predicted)
            print(f"{title} RMSE:", rating)
    
            plt.determine(figsize=(6, 4))
            sns.regplot(x=predicted, y=self.y_test, scatter_kws={"s": 10})
            plt.xlabel('Predicted')
            plt.ylabel('Precise')
            plt.title(f'{title} Predictions')
            plt.grid(True)
            plt.present()
    
        def run_all(self):
            fashions = {
                'Linear': LinearRegression(),
                'MLP': MLPRegressor(random_state=42, max_iter=500, learning_rate="fixed", learning_rate_init=0.6),
                'DecisionTree': DecisionTreeRegressor(max_depth=15, random_state=42),
                'RandomForest': RandomForestRegressor(random_state=42),
                'GradientBoosting': GradientBoostingRegressor(random_state=42, learning_rate=0.6, warm_start=True),
                'ExtraTrees': ExtraTreesRegressor(n_estimators=100, random_state=42)
            }
    
            for title, mannequin in fashions.gadgets():
                self.regression(title, mannequin)

     

    Right here is the common class utility.

    class MachineLearning:
        def __init__(self, X_train, y_train, X_test, y_test):
            self.X_train = X_train
            self.y_train = y_train
            self.X_test = X_test
            self.y_test = y_test
            self.pred_df = pd.DataFrame({'Precise': y_test})
    
        def rmse(self, y_true, y_pred):
            return mean_squared_error(y_true, y_pred, squared=False)
    
        def regression(self, title, mannequin):
            pipe = make_pipeline(MaxAbsScaler(), mannequin)
            pipe.match(self.X_train, self.y_train)
            predicted = pipe.predict(self.X_test)
            self.pred_df[name + '_Pred'] = predicted
    
            rating = self.rmse(self.y_test, predicted)
            print(f"{title} RMSE:", rating)
    
            plt.determine(figsize=(6, 4))
            sns.regplot(x=predicted, y=self.y_test, scatter_kws={"s": 10})
            plt.xlabel('Predicted')
            plt.ylabel('Precise')
            plt.title(f'{title} Predictions')
            plt.grid(True)
            plt.present()
    
        def run_all(self):
            fashions = {
                'Linear': LinearRegression(),
                'MLP': MLPRegressor(random_state=42, max_iter=500, learning_rate="fixed", learning_rate_init=0.6),
                'DecisionTree': DecisionTreeRegressor(max_depth=15, random_state=42),
                'RandomForest': RandomForestRegressor(random_state=42),
                'GradientBoosting': GradientBoostingRegressor(random_state=42, learning_rate=0.6, warm_start=True),
                'ExtraTrees': ExtraTreesRegressor(n_estimators=100, random_state=42)
            }
    
            for title, mannequin in fashions.gadgets():
                self.regression(title, mannequin)

     

    Efficiency Comparability: Time Benchmark

    Now let’s examine every code to the one we did within the earlier part.

    import time
    
    start_normal = time.time()
    ml = MachineLearning(X_train, y_train, X_test, y_test)
    ml.run_all()
    end_normal = time.time()
    normal_duration = end_normal - start_normal
    normal_memory = (
        ml.X_train.nbytes +
        ml.X_test.nbytes +
        ml.y_train.nbytes +
        ml.y_test.nbytes
    )
    
    start_slotted = time.time()
    sml = SlottedMachineLearning(X_train, y_train, X_test, y_test)
    sml.run_all()
    end_slotted = time.time()
    slotted_duration = end_slotted - start_slotted
    slotted_memory = (
        sml.X_train.nbytes +
        sml.X_test.nbytes +
        sml.y_train.nbytes +
        sml.y_test.nbytes
    )
    
    print(f"⏱️ Regular ML class period: {normal_duration:.4f} seconds")
    print(f"⏱️ Slotted ML class period: {slotted_duration:.4f} seconds")
    
    print(f"📦 Regular ML class reminiscence utilization: {normal_memory:.2f} bytes")
    print(f"📦 Slotted ML class reminiscence utilization: {slotted_memory:.2f} bytes")
    
    time_diff = normal_duration - slotted_duration
    percent_faster = (time_diff / normal_duration) * 100
    if percent_faster > 0:
        print(f"✅ Slotted ML class is {percent_faster:.2f}% quicker than the common ML class.")
    else:
        print(f"ℹ️ No velocity enchancment with slots on this run.")
    
    memory_diff = normal_memory - slotted_memory
    percent_smaller = (memory_diff / normal_memory) * 100
    if percent_smaller > 0:
        print(f"✅ Slotted ML class makes use of {percent_smaller:.2f}% much less reminiscence than the common ML class.")
    else:
        print(f"ℹ️ No reminiscence financial savings with slots on this run.")

     

    Right here is the output.

     
    Python slots examplePython slots example
     

    Conclusion

     
    By stopping the creation of dynamic __dict__ for every occasion, Python __slots__ are excellent at decreasing the reminiscence utilization and rushing up attribute entry. You noticed the way it works in observe by each knowledge exploration and machine studying duties utilizing Allegro’s actual recruitment undertaking.

    In small datasets, the enhancements may be minor. However as knowledge scales, the advantages turn out to be extra noticeable, particularly in memory-bound or performance-critical purposes.
     
     

    Nate Rosidi is an information scientist and in product technique. He is additionally an adjunct professor educating analytics, and is the founding father of StrataScratch, a platform serving to knowledge scientists put together for his or her interviews with actual interview questions from prime corporations. Nate writes on the most recent tendencies within the profession market, offers interview recommendation, shares knowledge science tasks, and covers all the things SQL.



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