The instance method depends on object data and the class method operates the class level information. The instance method takes self as the first parameter, and needs to be called through an instance to access and modify the object state; the class method is defined by @classmethod, and cls as the first parameter, and can be called through a class or instance, and is often used for factory methods or class-level operations; if you need to operate the object's own data during selection, you use the instance method, and if you process the logic related to the class, you use the class method.
In Python, instance methods and class methods seem to be functions written in classes, but their uses and calling methods are actually obvious. Simply put: an instance method depends on the data of the object itself, while a class method operates on class-level information . Understanding the difference between these two will allow you to write clearer and more reasonable-structured code.

Example method: method that binds to objects
An instance method is the method we write most often in a class. Its first parameter is self
, representing a specific instance of calling this method.

For example:
class Dog: def __init__(self, name): self.name = name def bark(self): print(f"{self.name} is barking!")
The above bark()
is a typical example method. You have to create an instance of Dog
before you can call it:

my_dog = Dog("Buddy") my_dog.bark() # Output: Buddy is barking!
Key point: The instance method can access and modify the state of an object (that is, the properties on
self
), and is suitable for processing logic that requires specific instance data.
Class method: a method that binds to a class
The definition of the class method uses the @classmethod
decorator, and the first parameter is cls
, which represents the class itself rather than the instance.
for example:
class Dog: species = "Canis familiaris" @classmethod def get_species(cls): return cls.species
At this time, you can call it directly through the class:
print(Dog.get_species()) # Output: Canis familiaris
Of course, it can also be called through instances, but the class is essentially passed in:
my_dog = Dog() print(my_dog.get_species()) # Same output: Canis familiaris
Common uses: Class methods are usually used to do some operations related to class but do not rely on specific instances, such as factory method or class-level configuration settings.
How to choose? Depend on what you want to do
- If you need to operate the object's own data (such as name, age, etc.), use the example method
- If you are doing things related to classes, such as different ways to create objects and read class variables, use class methods
Let me give you a practical example:
You want to provide a method of "creating dogs from dictionary". At this time you might want to write:
class Dog: def __init__(self, name, age): self.name = name self.age = age @classmethod def from_dict(cls, data): return cls(data["name"], data["age"])
Then you can use:
data = {"name": "Max", "age": 3} dog = Dog.from_dict(data)
The advantage of this method is that if you inherit the Dog
class in the future (for example, it becomes SuperDog
), the from_dict
method can also automatically adapt to the new subclass.
Basically that's it. By figuring out whether you want to operate objects or classes, you can decide which method type to use.
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