Python | Difference between @classmethod and @staticmethod

Python | @staticmethod Vs. @classmethod: In this tutorial, we will learn about the @staticmethod and @classmethod decorators and the key differences between them with the help of examples. By Sapna Deraje Radhakrishna Last updated : June 26, 2023

Python @classmethod decorator

The @classmethod decorator is an inbuilt function decorator that gets evaluated after the function is defined. The result of the evaluation shadows the function definition. The @classmethod's first argument is always a class cls, similar to an instance method receiving self as its first argument.

Syntax

The below is the syntax of @classmethod decorator:

class ABC(object):
	@classmethod
	def function(cls, arg1, ...):
		...

Note:

Exists to create class methods that are passed with the actual class object within the function call.
Bound to the class and not to an instance.
Can modify the class state and that would be applied across all the instances.

Python @staticmethod decorator

The @staticmethod decorator, similar to class methods, are methods that are bound to class rather than its object. However, they do not require a class instance creation. So, are not dependent on the state of the object.

Syntax

The below is the syntax of @staticmethod decorator:

class ABC(object):
	@staticmethod
	def function(arg1, arg2, ...):
		...

Note:

Bound to the class and not to an instance
Cannot modify the class state

Difference between @classmethod and @staticmethod

@classmethod	@staticmethod
The @classmethod takes cls as first parameter.	The @staticmethod needs no specific parameters.
The @classmethod can access or modify the class state.	The @staticmethod cannot access the class state.
The @classmethod must have parameters.	The @staticmethod knows nothing about the class state and is similar to utility methods.

Example of @classmethod and @staticmethod decorators

Consider the below example demonstrating the difference between @classmethod and @staticmethod.

class City: 
    def __init__(self, zip_code, name): 
        self.zip_code = name 
        self.name = name 
      
    # a class method to create a city object. 
    @classmethod
    def city_name(cls, zip_code, name): 
        return cls(zip_code, name) 
      
    # a static method to check if a city is capital or not
    @staticmethod
    def isCapital(city_name): 
        if city_name == 'bengaluru':
            return True

if __name__ == '__main__':
    bengaluru = City(560086, 'bengaluru')
    mysuru = City.city_name(560111, 'mysuru')
    print("city is {}".format(bengaluru.name))
    print("city is {}".format(mysuru.name))
    print("Bengaluru is capital :{}".format(City.isCapital('bengaluru')))

Output

city is bengaluru
city is mysuru
Bengaluru is capital : True

Python Metaclasses Tutorial (with Examples)