Understanding Python's Magic Methods: __getattribute__ and __getattr__ Explained

Dive into how Python's magic methods `__getattribute__` and `__getattr__` work when accessing class variables, with insights on superclass handling and metaclasses.
---

Visit these links for original content and any more details, such as alternate solutions, latest updates/developments on topic, comments, revision history etc. For example, the original title of the Question was: Which magic methods are called when getting a class variable in Python?

If anything seems off to you, please feel free to write me at vlogize [AT] gmail [DOT] com.
---
Understanding Python's Magic Methods: __getattribute__ and __getattr__ Explained

When working with classes in Python, you may have come across magic methods, specifically __getattribute__ and __getattr__. These methods play a crucial role in how Python resolves attributes for objects and classes. However, understanding their behavior, especially when dealing with inheritance and class variables, can be a bit tricky. In this guide, we'll break down the functions of these magic methods and clarify what happens when you access class variables and how to properly implement these methods.

The Issue at Hand

Consider a scenario where you've defined a superclass and subclass, and you want to track how attributes are accessed in these classes. You might find yourself expecting certain print statements to be triggered that confirm the calls to __getattribute__ or __getattr__. However, if your magic methods are not working as intended, it can be confusing.

Example Problematic Code

Let's examine the following code snippet that demonstrates the expected behavior of these magic methods:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this example, when you run the code, you may expect print statements from the __getattribute__ methods to indicate when attributes are accessed. But contrary to expectation, only the value of MyClassVar is printed, and the magic methods seem not to be invoked.

The Magic Methods Explained

What are __getattribute__ and __getattr__?

__getattribute__: This method is automatically called when an attribute of a class instance is accessed. It allows you to customize what happens during an attribute access. If you define this method in your class, it will intercept all attribute accesses.

__getattr__: This method is called only when the requested attribute is not found in the usual places (such as the instance's __dict__ or its class). It can be used to define a default behavior for saying "the attribute does not exist."

Class vs Instance Behavior

A critical point to understand is that __getattribute__ and __getattr__ deal with instances of classes, not the classes themselves. When you access a class variable like MyClassVar, Python is looking it up on the class level, not necessarily invoking the methods defined in instances of the class.

How to Handle Class Variables

If you need to implement custom behavior for class variable access, you'll need to define __getattribute__ and __getattr__ in the class's metaclass. Here’s how to do that:

[[See Video to Reveal this Text or Code Snippet]]

In this modified example, when you access MyClassVar, it will now correctly call the __getattribute__ defined in the Meta metaclass, printing the expected output.

Conclusion

Understanding how __getattribute__ and __getattr__ function in Python is crucial for correctly managing attribute access, especially in the context of class inheritance and metaclasses. By realizing that these methods handle instance behavior by default, and learning how to redirect their behavior at the class level, you can better control your Python objects' attribute resolution.

If you're still grappling with these concepts, don't hesitate to ask more questions or try writing simple experiments to see these magic methods in action!