A constructor is a special type of method in object-oriented programming that is automatically called when an object is created from a class. The primary purpose of a constructor is to initialize the newly created object, typically by setting the initial values of its attributes or performing setup operations necessary for the object to function properly.

Definition: A constructor is a special method used to initialize an object when it is created. It sets up the initial values for the object’s attributes.

For example, a Car class might have a constructor that initializes properties like make, model, and year of a car object when it is created. Constructors often take parameters to allow for customization during object creation. They provide a convenient way to ensure that objects are properly initialized before they are used in the program. In some programming languages, like C++ and Java, constructors can be overloaded, meaning multiple constructors with different parameters can exist for a class.

class Car:
    def __init__(self, make, model):
        self.make = make
        self.model = model

In addition to initializing an object, constructors can also allocate resources, such as memory or file handles, if necessary. When an object is destroyed, a corresponding destructor is used to clean up any allocated resources, ensuring efficient memory management and preventing memory leaks.