What is the difference between a static method and an instance method in Python?
Rashid D

In Python, static methods and instance methods are both types of methods defined within a class, but they serve different purposes and have distinct behaviors. Here's a long-form explanation of the differences between static methods and instance methods: Instance Methods: 1. Purpose: - Instance methods are defined within a class and operate on instances (objects) of that class. - They have access to the instance's state (attributes) and can modify its data. - Instance methods are typically used to encapsulate behavior that operates on individual instances and makes use of their specific data. 2. Method Signature: - Instance methods have a special first parameter conventionally namedself, which refers to the instance calling the method. - Theself parameter is automatically passed when invoking the method on an instance, allowing the method to access the instance's attributes and invoke other instance methods. - Example:

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class MyClass:
    def instance_method(self, arg1, arg2):
   # Access instance attributes using self
   self.attribute = arg1 + arg2
   # Perform instance-specific behavior

my_instance = MyClass()
my_instance.instance_method(3, 4)

Static Methods: 1. Purpose: - Static methods are defined within a class but do not operate on instances or have access to instance-specific data. - They are not bound to a particular instance and can be called directly on the class itself. - Static methods are typically used to encapsulate utility functions or behavior that does not require access to instance-specific data. 2. Method Signature: - Static methods are defined using the@staticmethod decorator or by using thestaticmethod() function. - They do not have an implicit first parameter like instance methods (noself orcls parameter). - Static methods can be called on the class directly, without the need for an instance. - Example:

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class MyClass:
    @staticmethod
    def static_method(arg1, arg2):
   # Perform behavior that does not depend on instance-specific data

MyClass.static_method(3, 4)

To summarize: - Instance methods operate on instances (objects) of a class and have access to the instance's attributes and methods. - They are defined with aself parameter and are called on instances of the class. - Static methods do not operate on instances and do not have access to instance-specific data. - They are defined using the@staticmethod decorator or thestaticmethod() function and can be called directly on the class. Choose the appropriate method type based on whether the behavior depends on instance-specific data or if it is a utility function that does not require access to instance attributes.

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