Python repr() Function

In Python, the repr() function is used to obtain the string representation of an object. This string is a valid expression that can be used to recreate the object. The function is commonly used for debugging and logging purposes.

Ideally, the return value of the repr() function can be used to reconstruct the object:

lst = [1, 2, 3]
lst2 = eval(repr(lst))
print(lst == lst2) # True

The __repr__() method

The repr() function actually calls the object's __repr__() method:

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name, age):
        self.name = name
        self.age = age

    def __str__(self):
        return f"Person: {self.name}, {self.age}"

    def __repr__(self):
       return f"Person('{self.name}', {self.age})"

p = Person("Alice", 30)
print(str(p))   # Person: Alice, 30
print(repr(p))  # Person('Alice', 30)
p2 = eval(repr(p))
print(p2.name) # Alice

The value returned by __repr__() should be a valid expression that can be used to reconstruct the object.