Class attribute

Definition

A class attribute is a variable that is shared among all instances of a class. It is defined within the class but outside any instance methods.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. A class attribute is accessed using the class name, not an instance.
2. It is shared across all instances of the class and changes made to it affect all instances.
3. Class attributes are typically used for constants or variables that should be common to all objects of the same class.
4. They can be overridden by instance attributes with the same name in individual instances.
5. Class attributes are defined within the scope of a class but outside any methods.

Review Questions

• What distinguishes a class attribute from an instance attribute?
• How do you access a class attribute from both inside and outside the class?
• What happens if an instance has an attribute with the same name as a class attribute?

Related terms

Instance Attribute:

An instance attribute is specific to each object created from a class and is defined within methods or through constructors.

Constructor: A constructor, often named __init__, initializes new objects and assigns values to their instance attributes.

Self: 'self' refers to the instance calling a method, allowing access to its attributes and methods.