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Python Object-Oriented Python Advanced Objects Controlling Conversion

Posted by Leo Marco Corpuz
Leo Marco Corpuz
18,975 Points

__class__.__name__?

I don’t understand why __class__.__name__ is referring to the name of the class(‘Thief’). It looks like it’s accessing the name attribute.

2 Answers

Chris Freeman
MOD
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,468 Points
Chris Freeman
Chris Freeman
Treehouse Moderator 68,468 Points

Good question!

In self.__class__.__name__:

  • "self" is represents the instance of the class: kenneth
  • The attribute __class__ is set to the type of the instance. In this case it is set to point to the Thief class obj: kenneth.__class__ returns <class '__main__.Thief'>
  • When the class instance is initiated, the __name__ attribute of the __class__ is assigned to the name "Thief": kenneth.__class__.__name__ returns "Thief"

Answering anthony pizarro:

What does **__ do? Can anything be __x__?**

The double underscores __ beginning and ending a method name is a naming convention signifying this method is one of the special methods predefined within the Python language. They are also nicknamed “dunder” method for double underscore. See Python data model for complete list. It is not recommended to create your own new dunder method.

What is the “.” for?

The dot (“.”) syntax is used to mean “an attribute of”. So the code

self.__class__"."__name__

would mean, the __name__ attribute of the __class__ attribute, of self which is the current instance of the class

What if i had two files one for Thief and another for Pirate?

In both cases, the __class__.__name__ would be set to the name of the defined class. So Thief and Pirate would get the correct name.

As always, post back if you have more questions. Good Luck!!

anthony pizarro
anthony pizarro
1,983 Points
anthony pizarro
anthony pizarro
1,983 Points

what if i had two files one for Thief and another for Pirate. if i use self.__class__"."__name__, self.name how would the program know which file to use. would there need to be a new line of code in def __init__ (self....) asking for a character? and why do we use __class__ , what does __ actually do can anything be __x__ i have re watch the video over and over again , but i dont understand what hes doing or why there's a period in there ""

[MOD: Edited for clarity -cf]