list/classmethod problems

[Bruno Desthuilliers]

ahart a écrit :
> I'm pretty new to python and am trying to write a fairly small
> application to learn more about the language. I'm noticing some
> unexpected behavior in using lists in some classes to hold child
> objects. Here is some abbreviated code to help me explain.
> 
> ####################################
> class Item(object)
>     __text = ""
>     def __get_text(self):
>         return self.__text
>     def __set_text(self, value):
>         self.__text = value
>     text = property(fget=__get_text, fset=__set_text)


If you don't have any computation to do in the getter/setter, just use 
direct attribute access. If the need arise, then it will be time to use 
a property.

Also, takes care with leading double underscores, they may not do what 
you think. The usual convention is to use a single leading underscore 
for implementation details.

(snip)

> class Parent(object):
>     __items = []

This is a class attribute. It will be shared by all instances.

(snip)

> The list appears to be acting as if it were a
> static member - which it is not.

Well, in Python it's called a class attribute, but that's pretty much 
the same thing.

> I do have some @classmethod methods in these classes in my complete
> script. Would that confuse the interpreter into thinking that other
> members are also static?

Don't you think such a bug would have been spotted a long time ago ?-)

If you come from Java, take the time to read this:
http://dirtsimple.org/2004/12/python-is-not-java.html

HTH