Python’s magic method class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world0 due to a non-existent attribute, Python will call the class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world1 function for resolution. Show Thus, the class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world1 method. We call this a “Dunder Method” for “Double Underscore Method” (also called “magic method”). To get a list of all dunder methods with explanation, check out our dunder cheat sheet article on this blog. Syntax and Minimal Example
Let’s have a look at an example where you override the class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world4 magic method of a custom class class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world5 to simply print out the string class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world6 when calling the getattr() built-in function.class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world __getattribute__ vs __getattr__The class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world4 method is similar to class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world9. What’s the difference? Assume a user wants to access an attribute from a given object like so: my_obj.my_attr
You can see that the former takes precedence over the latter in the following code snippet that defines both methods—but class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') def __getattr__(self, attr_name): print('hello universe') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world Here’s what would’ve happened in the same scenario when raising an class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world0 in class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world4: class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): raise AttributeError def __getattr__(self, attr_name): print('hello universe') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello universe Python doesn’t even mention the error but passes the execution flow to the class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world1 method. Background getattr()Python’s built-in my_obj.my_attr7 function returns the value of the my_obj.my_attr8‘s attribute with name my_obj.my_attr9. If this doesn’t exist, it returns the value provided as an optional third class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') def __getattr__(self, attr_name): print('hello universe') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world0 argument. If that doesn’t exist either, it raises an class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world0. Python getattr() - Ultimate Guide Watch this video on YouTube An example is class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') def __getattr__(self, attr_name): print('hello universe') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world2 which is equivalent to class Person: def __getattribute__(self, attr_name): print('hello world') def __getattr__(self, attr_name): print('hello universe') alice = Person() getattr(alice, 'age') # hello world3. # Define class with one attribute class Car: def __init__(self, brand, speed): self.brand = brand self.speed = speed # Create object porsche = Car('porsche', 100) tesla = Car('tesla', 110) # Two alternatives to get instance attributes: print(getattr(porsche, 'brand') + " " + str(getattr(porsche, 'speed'))) print(tesla.brand + " " + str(tesla.speed)) # Get an attribute that doesn't exist with default argument: print(getattr(porsche, 'color', 'red')) Output: porsche 100 tesla 110 red Further Reading:
Where to Go From Here?Enough theory. Let’s get some practice! Coders get paid six figures and more because they can solve problems more effectively using machine intelligence and automation. To become more successful in coding, solve more real problems for real people. That’s how you polish the skills you really need in practice. After all, what’s the use of learning theory that nobody ever needs? You build high-value coding skills by working on practical coding projects! Do you want to stop learning with toy projects and focus on practical code projects that earn you money and solve real problems for people? 🚀 If your answer is YES!, consider becoming a Python freelance developer! It’s the best way of approaching the task of improving your Python skills—even if you are a complete beginner. If you just want to learn about the freelancing opportunity, feel free to watch my free webinar “How to Build Your High-Income Skill Python” and learn how I grew my coding business online and how you can, too—from the comfort of your own home. Join the free webinar now! Chris While working as a researcher in distributed systems, Dr. Christian Mayer found his love for teaching computer science students. To help students reach higher levels of Python success, he founded the programming education website Finxter.com. He’s author of the popular programming book Python One-Liners (NoStarch 2020), coauthor of the Coffee Break Python series of self-published books, computer science enthusiast, freelancer, and owner of one of the top 10 largest Python blogs worldwide. His passions are writing, reading, and coding. But his greatest passion is to serve aspiring coders through Finxter and help them to boost their skills. You can join his free email academy here. |