


What are the differences between instance methods, class methods (@classmethod), and static methods (@staticmethod) in Python?
Jun 11, 2025 am 12:04 AMIn Python, the difference between instance methods, class methods and static methods is that they access different data types. 1. The instance method is used to process object data, automatically receives an instance (self) as the first parameter, suitable for accessing or modifying instance properties; 2. The class method (@classmethod) is used to affect the logic of the entire class, and receives a class (cls) as the parameter, often used to replace constructors or modify class-level variables; 3. The static method (@staticmethod) is used for tool functions that are not related to the class or instance, and does not receive self or cls parameters, suitable for encapsulating auxiliary functions related to logic but do not require internal access.
In Python, instance methods, class methods ( @classmethod
), and static methods ( @staticmethod
) serve different purposes depending on whether they need access to the instance, the class, or neither. Understanding these distinctions helps you organize your code better and avoid confusion when working with object-oriented programming.
Instance Methods: For Working With Object Data
Instance methods are the most common type of method in Python classes. They automatically receive the instance ( self
) as the first argument when called. This allows them to access and modify object-specific data (attributes).
For example:
class Dog: def __init__(self, name): self.name = name def bark(self): print(f"{self.name} says woof!") my_dog = Dog("Buddy") my_dog.bark() # Output: Buddha says woof!
Use instance methods when you need to:
- Access or change instance attributes
- Work with other objects of the same class
- Perform actions that depend on a specific object's state
They're ideal for behavior tied directly to an individual instance.
Class Methods: For Logic That Affects the Whole Class
Class methods take the class ( cls
) as their first argument instead of an instance. You define them using the @classmethod
decorator. These methods can access and modify class-level data but not instance-specific data.
A common use case is alternative constructors:
class Person: def __init__(self, name, age): self.name = name self.age = age @classmethod def from_birth_year(cls, name, birth_year): current_year = 2025 age = current_year - birth_year return cls(name, age) p = Person.from_birth_year("Alice", 1990) print(p.age) # Output: 35
Class methods are useful when:
- You want to create instances in different ways
- You need to modify class-level variables
- Your logic applies broadly across all instances of the class
This makes them perfect for operations that affect or rely on the class as a whole.
Static Methods: For Utility Functions Without Context
Static methods don't receive any automatic arguments like self
or cls
. They're defined using @staticmethod
, and behave just like regular functions — except they live inside a class because they're logically related.
They're often used for helper functions that do something relevant to the class but don't require access to any internal data.
Example:
class MathUtils: @staticmethod def add_numbers(x, y): return xy result = MathUtils.add_numbers(3, 4) print(result) # Output: 7
Use static methods if:
- The method doesn't need to access instance or class data
- It's a utility function related to the class's purpose
- You want to keep it organized within the class namespace
They help keep your code clean by grouping related functionality without unequal dependencies.
Each type of method has its own role: instance methods work with object data, class methods deal with class-level logic, and static methods act as standalone helpers. Knowing when to use each one makes your code more readable and maintained.
Basically that's it.
The above is the detailed content of What are the differences between instance methods, class methods (@classmethod), and static methods (@staticmethod) in Python?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!

Hot AI Tools

Undress AI Tool
Undress images for free

Undresser.AI Undress
AI-powered app for creating realistic nude photos

AI Clothes Remover
Online AI tool for removing clothes from photos.

Clothoff.io
AI clothes remover

Video Face Swap
Swap faces in any video effortlessly with our completely free AI face swap tool!

Hot Article

Hot Tools

Notepad++7.3.1
Easy-to-use and free code editor

SublimeText3 Chinese version
Chinese version, very easy to use

Zend Studio 13.0.1
Powerful PHP integrated development environment

Dreamweaver CS6
Visual web development tools

SublimeText3 Mac version
God-level code editing software (SublimeText3)

Hot Topics

There are no traditional classes and objects in Go language, but structs and methods are used. Class methods are bound to the type and are used to operate on the entire type. Object methods are bound to object instances and are used to operate on a specific instance. The receivers of the two are different: the receiver of class methods is the type, while the receiver of object methods is the object instance pointer. There are also differences in naming conventions: class methods start with a capital letter, and object methods start with a lower case letter.

The difference and application between class methods and object methods: Class methods: act on the type itself, do not require object instance calls, and are used to create new instances or perform type-level operations. Object method: must be called through an object instance and is used to modify the object state or access private fields. The receiver must be a pointer type.

In Go, the main difference between class methods and object methods is their receiver: class methods are called with the class name, while object methods require an instance reference. Class methods are suitable for global operations, and object methods are suitable for specific instance operations. Steps: Class method: declare the func keyword and place it in the type definition, and the receiver is the class itself. Object method: func keyword declaration, placed in the func receiver part of the type definition, and the receiver is an instance pointer.

The difference between static functions and class methods in C++: declaration method: static functions use the static keyword, and class methods are class member functions. Access method: Static functions are accessed through class names or scope resolution operators, and class methods are accessed through class object member access symbols. Data member access: Static functions cannot access class data members, but class methods can access all data members of the class. Purpose: Static functions are suitable for functions that have nothing to do with the class and do not need to access class state. Class methods are suitable for functions that need to access class data.

How to use the classmethod() function in Python to define class methods In Python, a class method is a method associated with a class. Class methods can be called from the class itself or from instances of the class. A method can be defined as a class method using the classmethod() function. The classmethod() function is a built-in decorator function in Python, used to indicate that a method is a class method. Its syntax is as follows: @classmethoddef

In Python, the difference between instance methods, class methods and static methods is that they access different data types. 1. The instance method is used to process object data, automatically receives an instance (self) as the first parameter, suitable for accessing or modifying instance properties; 2. The class method (@classmethod) is used to affect the logic of the entire class, and receives a class (cls) as the parameter, often used to replace constructors or modify class-level variables; 3. The static method (@staticmethod) is used for tool functions that are not related to the class or instance, and does not receive self or cls parameters, suitable for encapsulating auxiliary functions related to logic but do not require internal access.

For class methods and object methods in Go language, they differ in definition location, calling method, instantiation requirements, typical usage and accessibility. Class methods are defined on the structure type and are called directly using the structure type name without instantiation. They are used for initialization, verification and providing public functions. Object methods are defined on the object and must be instantiated before they can be called. They are used to operate the object state and provide private helper functions, which can only be accessed from within the package.

Class methods automatically receive classes as the first parameter, suitable for creating or operating class-level data; static methods do not bind any parameters, suitable for functions related to classes but do not need to access classes or instances. 1. Class methods are often used as alternative constructors or processing class states, such as creating objects through string parsing; 2. Static methods are used to classify ordinary functions in classes, such as verifying whether age is legal; 3. If you need to access class states, use @classmethod, if you only need to classify tool functions, use @staticmethod, and use instance methods to access instance properties.
