Class Method in Python – Explanation with Examples
What is a Class Method?
A class method in Python is a method that is bound to the class and not the instance of the class. It
takes the class itself (cls) as its first parameter instead of the instance (self). Class methods can
modify class state that applies across all instances of the class.
Class methods are defined using the @classmethod decorator.
How to Define a Class Method?
A class method:
Is defined using the @classmethod decorator.
Takes cls as its first parameter (instead of self).
Can access and modify class variables.
Can be called using both class name and instance name.
Example 1: Defining and Using a Class Method
class Employee:
company = "Tech Corp" # Class variable
def __init__(self, name, salary):
self.name = name
self.salary = salary
@classmethod
def set_company(cls, new_company):
cls.company = new_company # Modifying class variable
# Calling class method
Employee.set_company("Innovate Ltd")
# Creating instances
emp1 = Employee("Alice", 50000)
emp2 = Employee("Bob", 60000)
# Checking if the company name is updated for all instances
print(emp1.company) # Output: Innovate Ltd
print(emp2.company) # Output: Innovate Ltd
Explanation:
The set_company method is a class method because it is decorated with @classmethod.
It modifies the class variable company, which applies to all instances.
Example 3: Using Class Method to Track the Number of Instances
Class methods can also help in tracking data at the class level, like counting the number of instances.
class Counter:
count = 0 # Class variable
def __init__(self):
Counter.count += 1 # Increment counter on object creation
@classmethod
def get_count(cls):
return cls.count # Return total count
# Creating instances
obj1 = Counter()
obj2 = Counter()
obj3 = Counter()
# Getting count using class method
print(Counter.get_count()) # Output: 3
🔹 Explanation:
The get_count method is a class method that returns the total number of instances created.
Every time a new instance is created, the count variable is incremented.
Instance Methods in Python
An instance method is a method that is defined inside a class and operates on instance
variables (attributes) of an object. It takes self as the first parameter, which refers to the
specific instance of the class.
Key Points About Instance Methods
1. Instance methods can access and modify instance attributes.
2. They are called using an object (instance) of the class.
3. The first parameter of an instance method is always self, which represents the instance itself.
Example: Instance Method in Python
class Person:
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name # Instance variable
self.age = age # Instance variable
def display_info(self): # Instance method
print(f"Name: {self.name}, Age: {self.age}")
# Creating an instance (object) of the Person class
p1 = Person("Alice", 25)
p2 = Person("Bob", 30)
# Calling the instance method
p1.display_info() # Output: Name: Alice, Age: 25
p2.display_info() # Output: Name: Bob, Age: 30
Explanation:
1. __init__() is the constructor that initializes the instance variables (name and age).
2. display_info() is an instance method that prints the name and age of the object.
3. We create two objects: p1 and p2 and call display_info() on each.
Instance Method Modifying Instance Variables
class Car:
def __init__(self, brand, speed):
self.brand = brand
self.speed = speed
def increase_speed(self, increment): # Instance method
self.speed += increment
print(f"{self.brand} speed increased to {self.speed} km/h")
# Creating object
car1 = Car("Toyota", 60)
# Calling instance method
car1.increase_speed(20) # Output: Toyota speed increased to 80 km/h
