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1 Answers

ICSM Computer
ICSM Computer 03 Jun 2025
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In Python classes, @staticmethod, @classmethod, and regular instance methods differ in how they receive and use their first argument and how they relate to the class and its instances.

1. Regular Instance Methods

  • First parameter: self (the instance itself)
  • Can access and modify instance attributes and other instance methods.
  • Called on an instance of the class.
class MyClass:
    def instance_method(self):
        print(f"Called instance_method of {self}")

obj = MyClass()
obj.instance_method()  # Works, 'self' refers to 'obj'

2. @staticmethod

  • Does NOT take self or cls as the first argument.
  • Behaves like a regular function inside the class namespace.
  • Cannot access instance (self) or class (cls) data.
  • Called on the class or instance, but no reference to either is passed automatically.
class MyClass:
    @staticmethod
    def static_method():
        print("Called static_method")

MyClass.static_method()  # Works
obj = MyClass()
obj.static_method()      # Also works

3. @classmethod

  • First parameter is cls (the class itself).
  • Can access and modify class state that applies across all instances.
  • Called on the class or instance, but receives the class as the first argument.
class MyClass:
    class_var = 0

    @classmethod
    def class_method(cls):
        print(f"Called class_method of {cls}")
        print(f"Class variable: {cls.class_var}")

MyClass.class_method()  # Works
obj = MyClass()
obj.class_method()      # Also works, cls is MyClass

Summary Table

Method Type First Argument Can Access Instance Data? Can Access Class Data? How Called
Instance Method self Yes Yes obj.method()
Static Method None No No Class.method() or obj.method()
Class Method cls No Yes Class.method() or obj.method()
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