FAQ: Learn Python - Introduction to Bitwise Operators - Class Scope

Frequently Asked Questions Python FAQ
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This community-built FAQ covers the “Class Scope” exercise in Codecademy’s lessons on Python.

FAQs for the Codecademy Python exercise Class Scope:

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What is the difference between the following declarations?

class Animal(object):
  is_alive = True
  def __init__(self, name, age):
    self.name = name
    self.age = age

class Animal(object):
   def __init__(self, name, age):
    self.name = name
    self.age = age
    self.is_alive = True
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The first example declares is_alive as a class variable that can be accessed without creating an instance.

Animal.is_alive

The second example declares it as an instance variable which can only be accessed on an instance.

elephant = Animal('Jumbo', 60)
elephant.is_alive

Note that every instance can access the class variable (in the first example) with self.is_alive, and can modify it on that instance, which overrides the class variable fixed value.