[Python-Dev] type vs. class terminology

[Eli Bendersky]

On Sun, Nov 25, 2012 at 9:01 PM, Chris Jerdonek <chris.jerdonek at gmail.com>wrote:

> I would like to know when we should use "class" in the Python 3
> documentation, and when we should use "type."  Are these terms
> synonymous in Python 3, and do we have a preference for which to use
> and when?
>
> I'm sure this has been discussed before.  But if this terminology
> issue has already been resolved, the resolution doesn't seem to be
> reflected in the docs.  For example, the glossary entries for type and
> class don't reference each other.
>

Good question,

[shameless plug follows, I post this because I truly believe it's very
relevant to the discussion]

I had the same doubts some months ago, which led to writing this article
(relevant to Python 3):
http://eli.thegreenplace.net/2012/03/30/python-objects-types-classes-and-instances-a-glossary/

It examines the class vs. type issue, as well as object vs. instance
And this diagram can also be useful to understand how similar built-in and
user-defined types are in Python 3:
http://eli.thegreenplace.net/2012/04/03/the-fundamental-types-of-python-a-diagram/

Eli
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