Python Dataclasses: `kw_only=True` for Maintainability and Extensibility

2025-06-30

Python's dataclasses offer a convenient way to create data classes, but the default `__init__` method uses positional arguments, which can lead to maintenance and extension difficulties. This article introduces the `kw_only=True` parameter, which enforces keyword arguments, preventing issues caused by changes in argument order and allowing subclasses to add required fields flexibly. While this parameter was introduced in Python 3.10, the article also provides a solution for compatibility with older versions.

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