class Parent:
def __init__(self):
self._lst = []
class Child(Parent):
def __init__(self):
super().__init__()
Considering the code above, say I wanted to implement a method in the Child class, am I allowed to used self._lst (which is a private attribute initialized in the Parent Class) for this method? In other words, am I allowed to access private attributes that are initialized in the Parent Class through Subclasses?
In python, truly private attributes / methods don't exist. There are only naming conventions. What this means is if an attribute / method has its name beginning with one underscore, it can still be accessed from anywhere, just like regular attributes / methods. The only thing that this does is serve as a reminder to yourself and let other developers know that this attribute was not meant to be accessed from the outside.
To answer your question, yes, you can use _lst in the function. Even in languages that do have real access modifiers, there is frequently a different keyword to distinguish attributes not accessible from anywhere vs those that are not accessible anywhere but derived classes. In python, this is generally signified with a double underscore (__) vs a single underscore (_). Double underscores are not meant to be accessed from anywhere, while single underscores can be accessed by derived classes. See here for more information.
self._lst(with one underscore) would be accessible from the subclass.self.__lst(with two underscores) would not.propertys.