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37.instance & Class Variables Python

This document discusses the differences between instance variables and class variables in Python. Instance variables are unique to each object instance and can have different values for different instances. Class variables are defined at the class level and shared among all instances, so changing the class variable changes it for all instances. The document provides examples to illustrate how to define and access instance and class variables and explains how the __dict__ attribute stores variable names and values for each object.

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Subhojit Singha
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27 views

37.instance & Class Variables Python

This document discusses the differences between instance variables and class variables in Python. Instance variables are unique to each object instance and can have different values for different instances. Class variables are defined at the class level and shared among all instances, so changing the class variable changes it for all instances. The document provides examples to illustrate how to define and access instance and class variables and explains how the __dict__ attribute stores variable names and values for each object.

Uploaded by

Subhojit Singha
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Instance & Class Variables | Python Tutorials For Absolute Beginners In

Hindi #54

In the previous tutorial, we learned about the object and


their working with variables in detail. Here we have
created a class Student. We also created its two objects
(harry and larry) and also a few of their instance variables
as well.

When working with objects in Python, there are two types


of variables we have to work with i.e. instance variables
and class variables. But what do these types of variables
mean, and how do they work? OOP allows the variables to
be used at the class level or the instance level. In this
tutorial, we are going to learn about the two different
kinds of variables associated with a class and the
difference between them. The variables are:

 Instance variable
 Class variable

Instance variable:

"Instance variables are the variables for which the value


of the variable is different for every instance."

We can also say that the value is different for every object
that we create. Let us dive into some in-depth
explanation. When we create a class, we define a few
variables along with it. For example, we have created a
class of Students, and we have defined a variable age. All
the students cannot have the same age in a class, so we
have assigned the variable an average age of 16. Now,
whenever we use an object to print the value of age, it will
show 16. We can try to change the value of age, but it will
create a new instance variable for the specific object that
we are updating it for, hence defining the value to it.

The code for changing age for a particular object will be


something like this:

Std1.age = 18

Class variable:

"Class attributes are owned by the class directly, which


means that they are not tied to any object or instance."

Same as in the above example, if we want to change the


age for every instance from 16 to 17, then we can do it by
using the class variable, which in this case is Student.

"It is worth noting that updating the value of the class


variable will not change it for the instance variables of the
objects, such as in the case above."

The code for changing age using a class variable will be


something like this:
Students.age = 18

The following are the notable differences between Class


(static) and instance variables.

Following are the differences between Class and instance


variables.

Instance variables Class variables


When an object is created with the use of the When the program starts, static variables are
new keyword, instance variables are created. created and destroyed when the program
They destroyed when the object is destroyed. stops.
Instance variables can be accessed by calling Static variables can be accessed by calling
the variable name inside the using a class
class. ObjectReference.VariableName. name. ClassName.VariableName.
There is only one copy of that variable that is
Every instance of the class has its own copy of
shared with all instances of the class. If
that variable. Changes made to the variable
changes are made to that variable, all other
don't affect the other instances of that class.
instances will be affected.
The __dict__ attribute

Every object in Python has an attribute which is denoted


by __dict__, it maps the attribute name to its value. This
dictionary is used to stores all the attributes defined for
the object itself. Following is the syntax of using __dict__:
object.__dict__

A quick review:

Instance, variables are created only for a


specific object. The object can change, create, or update
only its instance variables. While in the case of class
variables, the variables and values we create or define are
set as default for all the objects. The objects cannot
change the value or variable in the class by just updating
it using object_name.class_name .However, it can
change the values of their particular instance variables.
Making use of class and instance variables can ensure
that our code adheres to the DRY (don't repeat yourself)
principle to reduce repetition within code.

Code as described/written in the video


class Employee:
no_of_leaves = 8
pass

harry = Employee()
rohan = Employee()

harry.name = "Harry"
harry.salary = 455
harry.role = "Instructor"

rohan.name = "Rohan"
rohan.salary = 4554
rohan.role = "Student"

print(Employee.no_of_leaves)
print(Employee.__dict__)
Employee.no_of_leaves = 9
print(Employee.__dict__)
print(Employee.no_of_leaves)

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