1. Introduction
In Python, class methods and static methods are two types of methods that can be associated with a class rather than with instances of the class. A class method takes the class itself as its first argument and can access and modify the class state. A static method, on the other hand, doesn't take any specific first argument (neither the instance nor the class), and it behaves just like a regular function but belongs to the class's namespace.
2. Key Points
1. First Argument: Class methods take the class (cls) as the first argument and static methods don’t take an implicit first argument.
2. Decorator: Class methods use the @classmethod decorator and static methods use @staticmethod.
3. Access to Class State: Class methods can access and modify class state, static methods can’t.
4. Usage: Class methods are used for factory methods and static methods for utility functions.
3. Differences
| Aspect | Class Method | Static Method |
|---|---|---|
| First Argument | Class (cls) | None |
| Decorator | @classmethod | @staticmethod |
| Access to Class State | Yes | No |
| Usage | Factory methods | Utility functions |
4. Example
class MyClass:
@classmethod
def class_method(cls):
return 'called class_method', cls
@staticmethod
def static_method():
return 'called static_method'
# Create instance of MyClass
my_instance = MyClass()
# Call class method
class_method_output = my_instance.class_method()
# Call static method
static_method_output = my_instance.static_method()
Output:
Class Method Output:
('called class_method', <class '__main__.MyClass'>)
Static Method Output:
called static_method
Explanation:
1. The class_method accessed the class (cls) and returned its name along with a message.
2. The static_method worked independently of any class or instance information.
5. When to use?
- Use class methods when you need to have a method that is aware of its class and can access its properties or methods.
- Use static methods when you want to place a method inside a class for organization, but the method doesn’t need to access any properties of the class or of an instance.
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