Python Class Variables vs Instance Variables

Python supports object-oriented programming, which means we can use class and objects to create the programs. In the class, we can define two types of variables, class variables and instance variables. Both the variables are similar to the regular variables that we define in the function and global scope, but accessing and using these two types of variables with objects can be tricky for a new Python learner.

In this Python tutorial, we are going to discuss what is the difference between these two variables and see how they work. We will also explore some examples that demonstrate the use of these variables and their functionalities. so let's get started with Class variables.

What are Python class variables?

The class variables are the variables that are defined in the root scope of the class. The value of the class variables is shared amongst all the objects of the class. The value of the class variables is created when we define the class itself.

Example

class Car:
    # class variable
    company = "Maruti Suzuki"

# create the object of the class 
raj_car = Car()

# access car company
print(raj_car.company)

Maruti Suzuki

class Car:
    # class variable
    company = "Maruti Suzuki"

# access class variable with class name
print(Car.company)

Output

Maruti Suzuki

If we want to access the class variable inside the class method, we can either use the object self or the class name.

Example

class Car:
    # class variable
    company = "Maruti Suzuki"

    def show_company(self):
        # access class variable with self
        print("The Company Name is:", self.company)

        # access class variable with class name
        # print("The Company Name is:", Car.company)

# create the object of the class 
raj_car = Car()

raj_car.show_company()

Output

The Company Name is: Maruti Suzuki
The Company Name is: Maruti Suzuki

2. Access the Class Variable with object

We can also use the object name to access a class variable outside the class.

Example

class Car:
    # class variable
    company = "Maruti Suzuki"

# create the object of the class 
raj_car = Car()

# access class variable with object
print(raj_car.company)

Output

Maruti Suzuki

3. Access the Class Variable with self

The class variable is present in the global scope for all the methods defined in the class. And if we wish to access a class variable inside any method there, we have to take the help of the object self .  Accessing self.class_variable inside the method is similar to accessing object.class_variable outside the class.

class Car:
    # class variable
    company = "Maruti Suzuki"

    def show_company(self):
        # accessing class variable with self 
        print(self.company)

# create the object of the class 
raj_car = Car()

raj_car.show_company()

Output

Maruti Suzuki

Changing Class variables

There are only two ways to change class variables.

1. Change with Class Name
2. Change with object name

1. Change class variable with class name

If we access the class variable with the class name and change its value, then the changed value of the class variable will be reflected all over all the class objects.

Example

class Car:
    # class variable
    company = "Maruti Suzuki"

    def show_company(self):
        # accessing class variable with self 
        print(self.company)

# create the object of the class 
raj_car = Car()
rahul_car = Car()

# change class variable with class name 
Car.company = "Suzuki"

print("Raj Car Company:", end =" ")
raj_car.show_company()
print("Rahul Car Company:",end =" ")
rahul_car.show_company()

Output

Raj Car Company: Suzuki
Rahul Car Company: Suzuki

In the above example, we changed the company value of the class from Maruti Suzuki to Suzuki with the class name, and its change for all the objects of the class raj_car and rahul_car .

1. Change class variable with object name

If we change the class variable with the object name or self, then the change will only reflect on that particular object.

Example

class Car:
    # class variable
    company = "Maruti Suzuki"

    def show_company(self):
        # accessing class variable with self 
        print(self.company)

# create the object of the class 
raj_car = Car()
rahul_car = Car()

# change class variable with object name 
raj_car.company = "Suzuki"

print("Raj Car Company:", end =" ")
raj_car.show_company()
print("Rahul Car Company:",end =" ")
rahul_car.show_company()

Output

Raj Car Company: Suzuki
Rahul Car Company: Maruti Suzuki

In this example, we have changed the company variable using the object raj_car , that's why the change only reflects on the raj_car object.

What are Python Instance Variables?

The instance variables are more owned by the object itself. Unlike the class variable, they are not shared between two objects, and their value can be changed with every object creation. The instance variables are specified inside the class constructor and get automatically created for the class when the object of the class is created.

Example

class Car:
    # class variable
    company = "Tesla"

    def __init__(self, owner, model):
        # instance variables
        self.owner = owner
        self.model = model
    
    def show_detail(self):
        print("Owner: ", self.owner)
        print("Car Model: ", self.model)

# create the object of the class 
raj_car = Car('Raj', 'Y')

raj_car.show_detail()

Output

Owner: Raj
Car Model: Y

In this example self.owner and self.model are the two instance variables, and they only get created when we created its object raj_car .

Accessing Instance variable

To access the instance variables, we use the object name followed by the dot operator and the instance variable name.

Example

class Car:
    # class variable
    company = "Tesla"

    def __init__(self, owner, model):
        # instance variables
        self.owner = owner
        self.model = model

# create the object of the class 
raj_car = Car('Raj', 'Y')

# access instance variable with object
print("Car Owner: ", raj_car.owner)
print("Car Model: ", raj_car.model)

Output

Car Owner: Raj
Car Model: Y

Changing Instance variable

The instance variable values are exclusive to individual instances or objects. If we change one object's instance variables value, it will not affect the other object's instance variables.

Example

Let's create two objects for a class and change the instance value for one of them.

class Car:
    # class variable
    company = "Tesla"

    def __init__(self, owner, model):
        # instance variables
        self.owner = owner
        self.model = model
    
    def show_detail(self):
        print("Owner: ", self.owner)
        print("Model", self.model)

# create the object of the class 
raj_car = Car('Raj', 'Y')
rahul_car = Car("Rahul", 'X')

# change the instance variable for raj_car object
raj_car.owner = "Raj Singh"

raj_car.show_detail()
rahul_car.show_detail()

Output

Owner: Raj Singh
Model Y
Owner: Rahul
Model X

Difference Between Python Class and Instance Variables

class class_name:
    class_variable = value

class class_name:
    def __init__(self):
        self.instance_variable = value

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