Python callback functions and static methods

[MRAB]

Joris wrote:
> Hello,
> 
> I'm trying to implement callback functionality in a static class.
> 
> I have a feeling that I'm doing something against the Python philosophy 
> and not some programming error but any help would be appreciated.
> 
> First, a piece of proof-of-concept-code:
> *
> class Data:
> 
>     callfunc = None
> 
>     @staticmethod
>     def setCallBack(callfunc):
>         Data.callfunc = callfunc
> 
>     @staticmethod
>     def OnData(data):
>         Data.callfunc(data)
> 
> def DataCallback(a):
>     print 'I received some data: '+ a
>    
> Data.setCallBack(DataCallback)
> Data.OnData('I have new data')
> *
> 
> I have defined a class called Data, which I want to use as a "static" 
> class (i.e. I will never create an instance of it). (I come from a Java 
> background so forgive me calling this static)
> It contains a class variable and 2 static methods.
> 
> I also defined a separate function called DataCallback, which would just 
> print the data it receives.
> 
> The goal of this is to use the Data class as a dispatcher of some chunk 
> of data to whatever function I would like, settable at run-time.
> 
> When executing this script, following error occurs:
> 
> *Traceback (most recent call last):
>   File "callback.py", line 17, in <module>
>     Data.OnData('I have new data')
>   File "callback.py", line 11, in OnData
>     Data.callfunc(data)
> TypeError: unbound method DataCallback() must be called with Data 
> instance as first argument (got str instance instead)
> *
> What I don't understand is why Python is expecting me to call the 
> DataCallback() function with a Data instance. To my understanding, the 
> DataCallback() function can be called from a static method and thus does 
> not require any instance.
> 
> Can anyone point me in the right direction ?
> 
DataCallback isn't a static method, it's a plain function. Try this instead:

class Data:
     ...
     @staticmethod
     def setCallBack(callfunc):
         Data.callfunc = staticmethod(callfunc)
     ...