Methods in Python

What is a Method in Python?

A method is a function that belongs to an object or a class. It is used to perform a specific task.

For example:

class Student:
	def greet(self):
		print("hello,iam sathwik")
student=Student()
student.greet()

Output

hello,iam sathwik

Here, greet() is a method because it is defined inside the Student class.

Types of Methods in Python

When working with classes, Python mainly has three types of methods:

1. Instance Method
2. Class Method
3. Static Method

1. Instance Method

An instance method works with an object of a class. It normally uses self as its first parameter.

class Student:
    def display(self):
        print("My name is Sathwik")

s1 = Student()
s1.display()

Output:

My name is Sathwik

Here, display() is an instance method. We call it using the object s1.

2. Class Method

A class method works with the class rather than a particular object. It uses the @classmethod decorator and  cls  as its first parameter.

class Student:
    college = "ABC College"

    @classmethod
    def show_college(cls):
        print(cls.college)

Student.show_college()

Output:

ABC College

Here,  show college() accesses the class variable college.

3. Static Method

A static method does not use self or cls. It is useful when we need a method that performs a task without using class or object data.

class Calculator:
    @staticmethod
    def add(a, b):
        return a + b

print(Calculator.add(10, 20))

Output:

30

Here, add() simply adds two numbers.