Pythonic Paradox: Dancing with @classmethod and @staticmethod

Intro

In Python, both classmethod and staticmethod are used to define methods that are bound to a class rather than an instance. However, they serve different purposes.

1. @classmethod: This decorator is used to define a method that takes the class itself as its first argument. Conventionally, the first parameter is named cls. It can be used to create class-specific methods that have access to the class itself, allowing them to modify class state or create instances of that class.

    class MyClass:
        class_variable = "class_variable"
   
        @classmethod
        def class_method(cls):
            print(f"Accessing class variable: {cls.class_variable}")
   
    # Call the class method
    MyClass.class_method()
   

2. @staticmethod: This decorator is used to define a method that does not take the class or instance as its first parameter. It behaves like a regular function but is included in a class for organizational purposes. It cannot access or modify class state.

    class MyClass:
        @staticmethod
        def static_method():
            print("This is a static method")
   
    # Call the static method
    MyClass.static_method()
   

   Summary table

Takeaway

In summary, use @classmethod when you need access to the class itself within the method, and use @staticmethod when you don't need access to either the instance or the class.