Descriptors, like meta-classes, are a feature of Python that I didn’t really understand up until now. Raymond Hettinger has written an excellent How-To Guide for Descriptors, which clearly explains and demonstrates their use. My biggest suprise is that (unlike meta-classes) I already knew how to use Descriptors, I just didn’t have the vocabulary to adequately explain them or an understanding of the underlying machinary.

Reading explanations of advanced Python features always leaves me feeling a little overwhelmed, yet incredibly empowered: “you mean I can do that with so little code?”