CODEWITHSUNDEEP
python
Kurt Peek
Kurt Peek

Reputation: 57421

Meaning of self.__dict__ = self in a class definition

I'm trying to understand the following snippet of code:

class Config(dict):
    def __init__(self):
        self.__dict__ = self

What is the purpose of the line self.__dict__ = self? I suppose it overrides the default __dict__ function with something that simply returns the object itself, but since Config inherits from dict I haven't been able to find any difference with the default behavior.

Upvotes: 25

Views: 19654

Answers (2)

Moinuddin Quadri
Moinuddin Quadri

Reputation: 48067

As per Python Document, object.__dict__ is:

A dictionary or other mapping object used to store an object’s (writable) attributes.

Below is the sample example:

>>> class TestClass(object):
...     def __init__(self):
...         self.a = 5
...         self.b = 'xyz'
... 
>>> test = TestClass()
>>> test.__dict__
{'a': 5, 'b': 'xyz'}

Upvotes: 12

Daniel
Daniel

Reputation: 42748

Assigning the dictionary self to __dict__ allows attribute access and item access:

>>> c = Config()
>>> c.abc = 4
>>> c['abc']
4

Upvotes: 17

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