In Python, classes are a fundamental part of object-oriented programming (OOP). They serve as blueprints for creating objects, which are instances of the class. A class encapsulates data for the object and methods to manipulate that data, allowing for organized and reusable code.

To create a class in Python, you use the class keyword followed by the class name. For example, you might define a class called Person. Inside the class, you can define properties (variables) and methods (functions) that belong to the class. Properties can be accessed and modified by methods or instances of the class, while methods can perform actions using the class’s data ²³.

Classes also support the concept of inheritance, allowing one class to inherit attributes and methods from another, promoting code reuse and a hierarchical organization of classes. This makes it easier to manage and extend code in larger applications ⁵.

If you have more specific questions about classes in Python, feel free to ask!