README.md

Module 050 Milestone Project: Library/Inventory Management System

Overview

Build a Library Management System using Object-Oriented Programming. This project brings together everything from Phase 5 (Modules 041-049).

Core Requirements

Book Class

• title, author, isbn, _copies, _available attributes
• borrow() — decrements available copies, returns bool
• return_copy() — increments available copies, returns bool
• @property for available and copies
• __str__, __repr__, __eq__ (by ISBN), __hash__

Member Class Hierarchy

• Member (base):
  • name, member_id, borrowed_books
  • can_borrow(), borrow_book(), return_book()
  • borrowing_limit property returning 0
• StudentMember(Member): borrowing_limit = 3, loan_period = 14 days
• TeacherMember(Member): borrowing_limit = 10, loan_period = 30 days

Library Class

• name, _books (dict keyed by ISBN), _members (dict keyed by member_id)
• add_book(book), add_member(member)
• borrow_book(member_id, isbn), return_book(member_id, isbn)
• list_books(), list_members()
• __str__, __len__

Error Handling

• Borrowing when no copies available → RuntimeError
• Borrowing when at limit → RuntimeError
• Returning a book not borrowed → ValueError
• Invalid member or book ID → ValueError

Getting Started

1. Open starter_code.py
2. Implement each class following the docstrings and type hints
3. Test each class as you go
4. Run your final solution to verify

Testing

Run your solution:

python3 project/starter_code.py

A full solution is available at project/solution/library_system.py.

Extension Ideas

• Add search_books(title) or search_by_author(author) methods
• Add get_borrowing_history(member_id) with timestamps
• Add overdue tracking with fine calculation
• Implement a Reservable mixin for reserving books
• Add data persistence with JSON or a database