What is the purpose of a destructor in Python? To initialize an objectTo copy an objectTo delete an objectTo return an object

Purpose of a Destructor in Python

In Python, a destructor is a special method defined using __del__ which is called when an object is about to be destroyed. Its primary purpose is to free up resources that are no longer needed when an object is no longer in use. This is particularly useful for managing external resources like files or network connections, where you might need to ensure that these resources are properly released once the object is deleted.

1. Initialization and Object Creation: The __init__ method is used for initializing an object, not a destructor.
2. Copying an Object: Object copying is handled by methods like copy() or deepcopy(), which are not related to destructors.
3. Deleting an Object: This is the main role of a destructor; it is executed to clean up before the object is removed from memory.
4. Returning an Object: Returning an object doesn’t involve destructors. It's handled through normal function returns.

Conclusion

Therefore, the correct answer is "To delete an object." The destructor ensures that necessary cleanup can be performed when an object is no longer accessible.