self.variable_name vs variable_name in method inside python class

Question

Both versions of the code are working. I am trying to understand the difference between self.data_as_csv vs data_as_csv.

In which scenario each of them is useful over the another.

Version 1:

import pandas as pd   
class test_class:
    def __init__(self, inputFile):
        self.file = inputFile

    def generate_csv(self):
        self.data_as_csv = pd.read_csv(self.file)
        return self.data_as_csv

x = test_class("out.csv")    
df = x.generate_csv()        
print(df)

Version 2:

import pandas as pd   
    class test_class:
        def __init__(self, inputFile):
            self.file = inputFile

        def generate_csv(self):
            data_as_csv = pd.read_csv(self.file)
            return data_as_csv

    x = test_class("out.csv")    
    df = x.generate_csv()        
    print(df)

oppressionslayer · Accepted Answer · 2019-11-15 23:19:36Z

1

using as self, you have access to the variable like this, so if you needed access to the data from the class, it would be useful in that case:

x.data_as_csv

Out[1456]: 
Empty DataFrame
Columns: [P234, Dog, Billy, No, No.1, D32432432, Lost, 01/09/2018, 28/08/2019, return to owner, 123 Fake Drive, LS34 1LE]
Index: []

answered Nov 15, 2019 at 23:19

oppressionslayer

7,2242 gold badges11 silver badges26 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

finally · Accepted Answer · 2019-11-15 23:24:14Z

1

using self. will allow you to access to this variable from any method of your class, that means u can have your 'global' variable available only in current class and only for current instance

answered Nov 15, 2019 at 23:24

finally

1116 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

self.variable_name vs variable_name in method inside python class

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related