Working with classes and functions in different files or folders is a common scenario in Python programming. In this blog, we will explore how to import and call class functions in two different cases: static/non-static functions. We will cover the steps required to import and use functions from a class defined in another folder. Let’s dive in!
Case 1: Calling a Static Function from a Class:
A static function belongs to the class itself and can be accessed without creating an instance of the class. Here’s how you can call a static function from a class defined in another folder:
Step 1: Ensure the containing folder is a Python module by adding an __init__.py file if needed.
Step 2: Determine the absolute path of the module you want to import. Let’s say the folder is named “my_module” and the file inside it is “my_class.py”. The absolute path would be my_module.my_class.
Step 3: In your Python script, import the desired static function from the class. For example:
from my_module.my_class import my_static_function |
Step 4: Now, you can directly call the imported static function in your code:
my_static_function() |
Case 2: Calling a Non-Static Function from a Class:
A non-static function is associated with an instance of the class. To call such a function, we need to create an instance first. Follow these steps to import and use a non-static function from a class defined in another folder:
Step 1: Ensure the folder is a Python module by adding an __init__.py file if required.
Step 2: Determine the absolute path of the module you want to import. Let’s say the folder is named “my_module” and the file inside it is “my_class.py”. The absolute path would be my_module.my_class.
Step 3: In your Python script, import the class from the module:
from my_module.my_class import MyClass |
Step 4: Create an instance of the class:
my_instance = MyClass() |
Step 5: Now, you can call the non-static function using the instance created:
my_instance.my_non_static_function() |
Conclusion:
In this blog post, we discussed how to import and call class functions in Python from a class defined in another folder. For static functions, you can directly import and call them without creating an instance. However, for non-static functions, the class needs to be instantiated first. By following these steps, you can effectively work with class functions across multiple files or directories in your Python projects.
