Python object oriented programming allows variables to be used at the class level or the instance level where variables are simply the symbols denoting value you’re using in the program.
At the class level, variables are referred to as class variables whereas variables at the instance level are referred to as instance variables. Let’s understand the class variable and instance variable through a simple example −
# Class Shark
class Shark:
animal_type= 'fish' # Class Variable
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name
self.age = age
# Creating objects of Shark class
obj1 = Shark("Jeeva", 54)
obj2 = Shark("Roli", 45)
print ("Printing class variable using two instances")
print ("obj1.animal_type =", obj1.animal_type)
print ("obj2.animal_type =", obj2.animal_type)
#Let's change the class variable using instance variable
obj1.animal_type = "BigFish"
print ("\nPrinting class variable after making changes to one instance")
print ("obj1.animal_type=", obj1.animal_type)
print ("obj2.animal_type =", obj2.animal_type)In above program, we have created a Shark class and then we are trying to change the class variable using object, this will create a new instance variable for that particular object and this variable shadows the class variable.
output
Printing class variable using two instances obj1.animal_type = fish obj2.animal_type = fish Printing class variable after making changes to one instance obj1.animal_type= BigFish obj2.animal_type = fish
Let’s modify our above program so as to get the correct output −
# Class Shark
class Shark:
animal_type= 'fish' # Class Variable
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.name = name
self.age = age
# Creating objects of Shark class
obj1 = Shark("Jeeva", 54)
obj2 = Shark("Roli", 45)
print ("Printing class variable using two instances")
print ("obj1.animal_type =", obj1.animal_type)
print ("obj2.animal_type =", obj2.animal_type)
#Let's change the class variable using instance variable
#obj1.animal_type = "BigFish"
Shark.animal_type = "BigFish"
print("New class variable value is %s, changed through class itself" %(Shark.animal_type))
print ("\nPrinting class variable after making changes through instances")
print ("obj1.animal_type=", obj1.animal_type)
print ("obj2.animal_type =", obj2.animal_type)Result
Printing class variable using two instances obj1.animal_type = fish obj2.animal_type = fish New class variable value is BigFish, changed through class itself Printing class variable after making changes through instances obj1.animal_type= BigFish obj2.animal_type = BigFish