python - Using a class as a data container

Question

Sometimes it makes sense to cluster related data together. I tend to do so with a dict, e.g.,

self.group = dict(a=1, b=2, c=3)
print self.group['a']

One of my colleagues prefers to create a class

class groupClass(object):
    def __init__(a, b, c):
        self.a = a
        self.b = b
        self.c = c
self.group = groupClass(1, 2, 3)
print self.group.a

Note that we are not defining any class methods.

I like to use a dict because I like to minimize the number of lines of code. My colleague thinks the code is more readable if you use a class, and it makes it easier to add methods to the class in the future.

Which do you prefer and why?

Answer 1

If you're really never defining any class methods, a dict or a namedtuple make far more sense, in my opinion. Simple+builtin is good! To each his own, though.