Python decorators are a powerful tool that allow you to modify the behavior of a function or method without permanently changing its structure. Essentially, a decorator is a function that takes another function as an argument, adds some functionality, and returns a new function with the added behavior.

When you apply a decorator using the @decorator_name syntax, Python processes the decorated function, wrapping it with additional functionality. This is particularly useful for tasks like logging, authentication, and access control, where you may want to inject common code into multiple functions without repeating yourself.

Here’s a simple example:

def decorator_function(original_function):
    def wrapper_function():
        print("Wrapper executed before", original_function.__name__)
        original_function()
        print("Wrapper executed after", original_function.__name__)
    return wrapper_function

@decorator_function
def display():
    print("Display function executed")

display()

In this example, the wrapper_function adds behavior before and after the display function runs, without modifying its original code.

Learning about decorators, along with other advanced Python concepts, can enhance your programming efficiency. To deepen your knowledge and improve your skills, consider enrolling in a python certification course, which can provide structured learning and industry-recognized credentials.