“@classmethod” is a decorator for class methods from "summary" of Fluent Python by Luciano Ramalho
The `@classmethod` decorator is a built-in Python decorator that is used to define a method as a class method. When a method in a class is decorated with `@classmethod`, it receives the class itself as the first argument, conventionally named `cls`. This allows the method to access and modify class state, which is shared among all instances of the class. Class methods are different from instance methods in that they operate on the class itself rather than on instances of the class. They are commonly used as factory methods to create instances of a class or to manipulate class variables. Because they receive the class object as the first parameter, they can be used to call other class methods or access class attributes. The `@classmethod` decorator is placed before the method definition in the class body to indicate that the method is a class method. This decorator serves as a signal to both the developer and the interpreter that the method is intended to be used with the class rather than with instances of the class. It enhances the readability of the code by making the intention behind the method clear. By using the `@classmethod` decorator, Python provides a straightforward way to define class methods within a class definition. This helps developers organize their code and distinguish between methods that operate on instances of a class and methods that operate on the class itself. The decorator syntax is concise and easy to understand, making it simple for developers to leverage the power of class methods in their code.
Similar Posts
Understand templates and generic programming
Templates allow you to write generic functions and classes that can operate on different data types without sacrificing type sa...
Recursion is a programming technique where a function calls itself
Recursion takes place when a function calls itself. This might sound a bit strange at first, but it can actually be quite usefu...
Error handling is important in Python programming
Error handling is important in Python programming because it allows you to anticipate and deal with potential issues that may a...
Algorithms are stepby-step procedures for solving problems
Algorithms are fundamental to computer science and the field of data structures and algorithms. They are essentially step-by-st...
Strings are immutable sequences of Unicode code points
In Python, strings are immutable sequences of Unicode code points. Being immutable means that once a string object is created, ...
“Zip” combines two or more sequences
The `zip` function is a built-in Python function that takes two or more sequences and "zips" them together, returning an iterat...
Lists can hold multiple values
Lists are a fundamental data structure in Python that allow us to store multiple values within a single variable. This means we...