Explain the Python Class Methods.

Question

Anubhav Kumar · Answer

In Python, class methods are special methods that are 
bound to the class (not the instance).
They can modify or access class-level data shared across all instances.
1. Definition
A 
class method is defined using the decorator:
@classmethod
and it takes cls as the first parameter (not 
self).
2. Syntax
class MyClass:
    class_variable = "Shared Value"
    @classmethod
    def my_class_method(cls, arg1):
        print("Class variable:", cls.class_variable)
        print("Argument:", arg1)
3. Usage Example
class Student:
    school_name = "Green Valley High"
    def __init__(self, name, age):
        self.name = name
        self.age = age
    @classmethod
    def change_school(cls, new_name):
        cls.school_name = new_name
# Before changing
print(Student.school_name)  # Green Valley High
# Change using class method
Student.change_school("Blue Ridge Academy")
print(Student.school_name)  # Blue Ridge Academy
Explanation:
change_school() is called on the class, not on an instance.It modifies the class variable, and the change affects 
all instances.
4. Difference Between Instance, Class, and Static Methods
Method Type
Decorator
First Parameter
Can Access Instance (self)
Can Access Class (cls)
Common Use
Instance Method
(None)
self
Yes
Via self.__class__
Works on instance data
Class Method
@classmethod
cls
No
Yes
Modify class-level data
Static Method
@staticmethod
(none)
No
No
Utility methods (no access to instance/class)
5. Example Showing All Three
class Example:
    count = 0
    def __init__(self):
        Example.count += 1
    def instance_method(self):
        return f"Instance method called. Instance count: {self.count}"
    @classmethod
    def class_method(cls):
        return f"Class method called. Total instances: {cls.count}"
    @staticmethod
    def static_method():
        return "Static method called. No instance or class data used."
Usage:
obj = Example()
print(obj.instance_method())
print(Example.class_method())
print(Example.static_method())

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Explain the Python Class Methods.

Anubhav Kumar

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1 Answers

1. Definition

2. Syntax

3. Usage Example

4. Difference Between Instance, Class, and Static Methods

5. Example Showing All Three

Liked By

Method Type	Decorator	First Parameter	Can Access Instance (`self`)	Can Access Class (`cls`)	Common Use
Instance Method	(None)	`self`	Yes	Via `self.__class__`	Works on instance data
Class Method	`@classmethod`	`cls`	No	Yes	Modify class-level data
Static Method	`@staticmethod`	(none)	No	No	Utility methods (no access to instance/class)