What does the 'self' keyword represent in a class?

The 'self' keyword in a class is used to refer to the instance of the class itself. This is particularly important in object-oriented programming, as it allows methods within the class to access attributes and methods associated with the current object. When defining a class in Python, 'self' is typically the first parameter of instance methods. By using 'self', you can manipulate the object's state, store attributes, and invoke other methods while ensuring that the operations are relevant to the specific instance being dealt with.

In the context of classes, each instance of a class has its own set of data attributes. During method calls, 'self' provides a way to reference those attributes and maintain the encapsulation principle of object-oriented programming. This means that each instance can have different values for its attributes, and 'self' helps to distinguish between them, ensuring that the behavior of methods corresponds to the correct instance.

This understanding is foundational for anyone working with classes in Python, as it demonstrates how instances interact with their own data and methods, facilitating the development of more organized and modular code.