Class instantiation with and without parantheses

Question

Consider the following:

class car:
    pass
tesla=car()

When I do type(tesla), this gives __main__.car, as I expect. But if I have:

class car:
    pass
tesla=car

then type(car) gives type.

From another post here on SO, it really shouldn't matter how I instantiate the class. But clearly as we see here, the type of the object is different. I am an absolute beginner to python, could you please let me know what is going on here.

Thanks!

You should not try to use PHP syntax with python. Your SO-link is about PHP. — Daniel, Jun 24 '21 at 21:24
`car()` is an instance of `car`, which is a `type`... just like it says! — Mateen Ulhaq, Jun 24 '21 at 21:25
`tesla=car` does not instantiate anything. Your link is to a question regarding PHP. PHP is not Python — juanpa.arrivillaga, Jun 24 '21 at 21:27

score 3 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 24 '21 at 21:25

3

In the second case, you're not instantiating the class, just giving it another name, tesla. The parentheses are required for instantiation.

answered Jun 24 '21 at 21:25

wjandrea

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Class instantiation with and without parantheses

1 Answers1