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Difference Between Class Method, Static Method, and Instance Method
A well-liked programming paradigm called object-oriented programming (OOP) emphasizes the use of objects to represent and manipulate data. The ability to construct methods that can interact with these objects is one of the main characteristics of OOP. Class methods, static methods, and instance methods are the three different categories of methods in Python.
Methods that belong to a class rather than an instance of that class include class methods and static methods.
Class methods receive a reference to the class or instance as their first argument, but static methods do not. This is the primary distinction between them.
On the other hand, instance methods are methods that are attached to a specific instance of a class and have access to and control over that instance's state.
Designing and implementing successful object-oriented applications requires an understanding of the differences between these three categories of methods. Each of these methods will be thoroughly examined in this article, along with its distinctive characteristics, potential applications, and Python implementation.
What are Instance Methods?
An instance method in object-oriented programming is a method that is specific to a class instance rather than the class itself. This indicates that an instance method has access to and control over the instance's state as well as indirect access to the class's attributes and methods.
You can use the instance methods of a class to conduct operations on an object (also referred to as an instance) that you construct. Self, which usually refers to the instance itself, is the initial parameter of an instance method. A standard method definition within the class is used to define an instance method in Python.
The most prevalent kind of method in object-oriented programming is an instance method, which is used to contain an object's action within its methods. They enable you to communicate with other objects in your programme, access an object's attributes, and change its state.
What are Static Methods?
A static method is a method that belongs to a class in object-oriented programming as opposed to an instance of that class. Static methods are similar to class methods in that they can be called without first creating an instance of the class.
A class method receives the class itself as the first argument (cls), whereas a static method does not receive any references to the class or instances. This is the primary distinction between a class method and a static method.
When you need to take a specific action that is independent of the status of a particular instance or the class as a whole, a static method can be helpful. By adding the @staticmethod decorator before the method definition, you can define a static method in Python. In a variety of circumstances, such as utility functions that are connected to the class but do not alter the class or instance state, static methods might be helpful.
What are Class Methods?
An instance method in object-oriented programming is a method that is specific to a class instance rather than the class itself. This indicates that an instance method has access to and control over the instance's state as well as indirect access to the class's attributes and methods.
You can use the instance methods of a class to conduct operations on an object (also referred to as an instance) that you construct. Self, which usually refers to the instance itself, is the initial parameter of an instance method. A standard method definition within the class is used to define an instance method in Python.
Class Method vs Static Method vs Instance Method
The following table compares and contrasts the different features of these three types of methods −
Feature |
Class Method |
Static Method |
Instance Method |
|---|---|---|---|
Definition |
An instance of a class as opposed to a method from that class. |
Instead of a class instance, a method that is a part of that class. |
A class-specific method that is part of a class instance. |
Access |
Can change class-level data and is accessible by the class name. |
May be accessed by using the class name and has the ability to take actions independent of the status of any specific instance. |
Can be accessed and the instance's state modified by using the instance name. |
First Argument |
The class itself is given as the first argument (cls). |
Neither the class nor its instance is referenced. |
The instance itself is given as the first parameter (self). |
Decorator |
@classmethod |
@staticmethod |
Not decorated |
Use Case |
Used to change class-level data or carry out operations pertaining to the entire class. |
Used to specify utility operations or carry out tasks that are independent of the condition of any specific instance. |
Used to interact with other objects and contain an object's activity within its methods. |
Conclusion
In conclusion, developing successful and efficient object-oriented Python applications requires an awareness of the distinctions between class methods, static methods, and instance methods.
Methods that belong to a class rather than an instance of that class include class methods and static methods. Static methods are used for utility activities that are connected to the class but do not change the class or instance state, whereas class methods are normally used for operations involving the class itself. On the other hand, instance methods are methods that are attached to a specific instance of a class and have access to and control over that instance's state.
You may develop and implement more effective and efficient object-oriented applications in Python that are simpler to maintain, alter, and scale by understanding the distinctions between these three types of methods.
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