What is the difference between static and class method in Python?

Class method

The class method is a built-in method in python which is limited to the class but not the object of the class. It is the expression that is evaluated when we define the function. A class method receives the class as the first argument, just like the method which takes the instance.

  • It is limited to the class but not the object of the class.

  • It can modify the state of the class, which will apply to all the instances of the class.

It has access to the class state as it takes the class parameter that points to the class but not the object.

Note: We use the @classmethod decorator to define the class method.

Syntax

class A(object):
    @classmethod
    def function(cls, argument1, argument2, ...):

Parameters

  • class: The class as an implicit first argument.

Return value

It returns a class method for the given function.

Code

Let’s discuss the basic code to understand the concept.

class Triangle:

    sides = 3

  

    @classmethod

    def lines(cls):

        return cls.sides



print(Triangle.lines())

Explanation

  • Line 1: We make a class.

  • Line 2: We initialize a variable sides.

  • Lines 4 to 6: We use the class method and call the lines function. It returns the number of sides of a triangle.

  • Line 8: We print its output.

Static method

A static method is the same as the class method, but it doesn’t take the implicit first argument.

  • It is limited to the class but not the object of the class.

  • It cannot modify or access the class state.

  • It is present in the class because it is a method, so it needs to be present.

Note: We use the @staticmethod decorator To define the static method.

Syntax

class C(object):

    @staticmethod

    def function(argument1, argument2, ...):

Parameters

It does not receive an implicit first argument.

Return value

It returns a static method for the given function.

Code

Let’s discuss the basic code to understand the concept.

class Triangle:

    sides = 3     

  

    @staticmethod

    def info():

        return "Triangle has 3 sides."

    

print(Triangle.info())

Explanation

  • Line 1: We make a class.
  • Line 2: We initialize a variable sides.
  • Lines 4 to 6: We make a static method info which prints a message.
  • Line 8: We call the info function of a class and print its output.

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