Python Language Tutorial => Class and instance variables

Example

Instance variables are unique for each instance, while class variables are shared by all instances.

class C:
    x = 2  # class variable

    def __init__(self, y):
        self.y = y  # instance variable

C.x
# 2
C.y
# AttributeError: type object 'C' has no attribute 'y'

c1 = C(3)
c1.x
# 2
c1.y
# 3

c2 = C(4)
c2.x
# 2
c2.y
# 4

Class variables can be accessed on instances of this class, but assigning to the class attribute will create an instance variable which shadows the class variable

c2.x = 4
c2.x
# 4
C.x
# 2

Note that mutating class variables from instances can lead to some unexpected consequences.

class D:
    x = []
    def __init__(self, item):
        self.x.append(item)  # note that this is not an assigment!

d1 = D(1)
d2 = D(2)

d1.x
# [1, 2]
d2.x
# [1, 2]
D.x
# [1, 2]

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Python Language Classes Class and instance variables

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