To me __init__ is a method, but that is implemented internally as
function associated to a class
When you use A.__init__ on it's own and inspect it, then it will show
that it is a function object - this is expected. The implementation
internals of the runtime don't need to have a special implementation for
a method.
Like all of the other __<name>__ methods you shouldn't ever need to call
them directly : these are called dunder methods and represent functions
and features which are called by other operators.
The only recommended way to call A.__init__ is to create an instance of
A : obj = A() - the __init__ method gets called automatically with a
newly created object.
If you did call A.__init__() directly on a an already existing object :
obj = A()
A.__init__(obj)
for example - all that would happen is that the object itself would be
reset : ie the obj's attributes would be reset to whatever the __init__
sets them to - if you need to do that it might be better to have a reset
method.
Regards,
Tony
------ Original Message ------
From: "scruel tao via Python-list" <python-list@python.org>
To: "python-list@python.org" <Python-list@python.org>
Sent: Friday, 15 Sep, 23 At 11:49
Subject: Why doc call `__init__` as a method rather than function?
```python
class A:
... def __init__(self):
... pass
...
A.__init__
<function A.__init__ at 0x0000026CFC5CCEE0>
a = A()
a.__init__
<bound method A.__init__ of <__main__.A object at 0x0000026CFC1BB400>>
```
On many books and even the official documents, it seems that many
authors prefer to call `__init__` as a "method" rather than a
"function".
The book PYTHON CRASH COURSE mentioned that "A function that’s part of
a class is a method.", however, ` A.__init__` tells that `__init__` is a
function...
I wonder how can I call `__init__` as? Consider the output above.
Maybe both are OK? If you prefer or think that we must use one of the
two, please explain the why, I really want to know, thanks!
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-- <br>Anthony Flury<br>anthony.fl...@btinternet.com
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