One morning, you wake up to an exciting opportunity. A tech startup has reached out after seeing your Python skills, and they want you to lead the development of Chirpy, a micro social media platform.

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They want a platform where users can:

  • Create an account.

  • Post short messages (chirps).

  • Like and comment on posts.

  • View other users’ profiles.

Sounds simple, right? But how do we translate this vision into code? That’s the journey we’re about to take!

Project description

Let’s step into the role of a software architect. Before we start coding, we need to break down what we’re building:

  • Users: People who create accounts and interact with the platform.

  • Chirps (Posts): Short messages that users post.

  • Likes and comments: Users can engage with each other’s posts.

  • Profiles: A user’s collection of chirps and interactions.

Now, let’s think beyond the basics. What makes Chirpy unique? Unlike traditional social media platforms bloated with features, Chirpy aims to be fast, lightweight, and engaging. Every user has a voice, but instead of endless scrolling, Chirpy encourages short, meaningful conversations through micro-posts and direct interactions.

Imagine a platform where creativity thrives through bite-sized content. Maybe a developer shares a quick Python tip, a designer posts an inspiring sketch, or a writer jots down a thought-provoking quote. Chirpy is where ideas spread fast, and interaction is instant.

Chirpy final look

We’ll create a CLI version of the Chirpy application using Python object-oriented programming. The widget below shows the project’s final outlook. Interact with it to better understand our goal.

Why plan first?

Suppose building a house without blueprints. Walls would go up in random places, rooms wouldn’t connect properly, and the plumbing would be a disaster! The same logic applies to programming—we need a structured approach to keep our project organized and scalable.

We’ll design Chirpy using object-oriented programming (OOP) to achieve this. Each feature (users, posts, interactions) will be built step by step, ensuring our code stays clean and modular.

This planning also helps answer critical questions:

  • How do we store user information?

  • What happens when a user likes or comments on a chirp?

  • How do we make the platform easy to scale as more users join?

By structuring our code correctly, we ensure that Chirpy remains efficient, easy to extend, and fun to use.

How would you build chirpy?

Before we dive into coding, consider what features a social media platform like Chirpy would need.

How would you structure it? Jot down a few ideas.

Every step will add a new layer to Chirpy, and by the end, it’ll be a fully functional social platform.

Facing the OOP challenge: Your turning point

You’re standing at a crossroads. On one side, you completely understand what the Chirpy project needs—users, posts, and interactions. You even have the Python basics to get started. But there’s one big challenge ahead:

How do you combine it all in an organized, scalable way using object-oriented programming?

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That’s where we roll up our sleeves! Instead of just explaining a theory, we’ll build something real together. This hands-on, project-based approach ensures that you don’t just learn OOP—you apply it as you develop Chirpy from the ground up. Picture yourself adding a fully functional OOP-driven social media project to your portfolio. Now that’s something to be proud of!

You’ve accepted this challenge because you recognize that mastering OOP is the next big step in your Python journey. By the end, you won’t just have a social media platform—you’ll be able to tackle any software project with the structured thinking that OOP brings.

The first step? Understanding how to represent users in code.

What’s next?

In the next lesson, we’ll design our first class, User. This will be the foundation of Chirpy, allowing us to create and manage accounts.

Let’s get started!