What are dataclasses and when should I use them?

Dataclasses are a feature introduced in Python 3.7 that simplifies the process of creating classes. They automatically generate special methods like __init__(), __repr__(), and __eq__() based on the class attributes defined. This allows for more concise and readable code, especially when creating classes that are primarily used to store data with little functionality.

You should consider using dataclasses whenever you need to create classes that are mostly used for storing data, especially when you want to make your code cleaner and reduce boilerplate. Dataclasses are particularly useful in scenarios like:

• Data modeling for simple data structures.
• Storing configuration settings.
• Handling complex data types.
• Creating immutable objects with the frozen=True option.