Class & Static Methods

@classmethod vs @staticmethod

@classmethod receives the class (cls) instead of an instance — often used for alternate constructors. @staticmethod receives neither and is just a function grouped inside the class.

class Pizza:
    def __init__(self, toppings):
        self.toppings = toppings

    @classmethod
    def margherita(cls):
        return cls(["mozzarella", "basil"])

    @staticmethod
    def is_valid_topping(name):
        return isinstance(name, str) and len(name) > 0

p = Pizza.margherita()
print(p.toppings)
print(Pizza.is_valid_topping("basil"))

Quick check: Which decorator lets a method create a new instance without an existing object?

• @staticmethod
• @classmethod
• @property