Use a class variable across inheritance in Python

Question

In Python, I want to define a top level class that can depend on a class variable. Then I want to be able to change that variable at the class level, for children of the class, but still inherit the functionality that uses that variable.

In general, my Parent class has some functions that depend on configuration variables. All my child classes use those same functions, but with different parameters. I would like to be able to change the parameters at the class level.

As the simplest example, here are two classes where the Parent defines functions in terms of my_global, then the Child attempts to change that variable (but fails)

class Parent():
    my_global = "parent"
    
    def _init_(self):
        pass

    def printmg(self):
        print(Parent.my_global)


class Child(Parent):
    my_global = "child"


my_parent = Parent()
my_parent.printmg()
my_child = Child()
my_child.printmg()

This outputs

parent
parent

While I would like it to output

parent
child

I don't wan't to keep the variables at the object level (i.e. self.my_global = "child"), or to rewrite the function for the child.

Change print(Parent.my_global) to print(self.my_global). — 0x5453
– 0x5453, Commented Feb 9, 2023 at 19:14

Nick Goldstein · Accepted Answer · 2023-02-09 19:26:05Z

1

Change the line print(Parent.my_global) to print(self.my_global).

The self operater represents the current class. So printing like this will work.

answered Feb 9, 2023 at 19:26

Nick Goldstein

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Comments

RomanPerekhrest · Accepted Answer · 2023-02-09 19:17:29Z

1

If you don't need an instance method define printmg as classmethod:

@classmethod
def printmg(cls):
    print(cls.my_global)

answered Feb 9, 2023 at 19:17

RomanPerekhrest

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1 Comment

Santiago Cuellar Over a year ago

Oh, great! Not what I was looking for but good to know that I can do that too!

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