Python Static Methods: How to Create and Use Them

Learn how to define and use static methods in Python. Static methods do not require an instance of the class to be called and are similar to class methods but without the self or cls parameters. Discover the syntax and examples for creating static methods in your Python classes.

Python - Static Methods

A static method in Python does not require an instance to be called. It is similar to a class method but does not have the mandatory argument like self (reference to the object) or cls (reference to the class).

Creating Static Methods

Static methods can be created using:

staticmethod() Function
@staticmethod Decorator

Using `staticmethod()` Function

The staticmethod() function converts a method into a static method.

Syntax


staticmethod(method)

Example


class Employee:
   empCount = 0
   def __init__(self, name, age):
      self.__name = name
      self.__age = age
      Employee.empCount += 1
   
   # creating staticmethod
   def showcount():
      print(Employee.empCount)
      return
   counter = staticmethod(showcount)

e1 = Employee("Aditi", 24)
e2 = Employee("Vikram", 26)
e3 = Employee("Sara", 27)

e1.counter()
Employee.counter()

Output

3
3

Using `@staticmethod` Decorator

The @staticmethod decorator is another way to create static methods.

Syntax


@staticmethod
def method_name():
   # your code

Example


class Student:
   stdCount = 0
   def __init__(self, name, age):
      self.__name = name
      self.__age = age
      Student.stdCount += 1
   
   # creating staticmethod
   @staticmethod
   def showcount():
      print(Student.stdCount)

e1 = Student("Aditi", 24)
e2 = Student("Vikram", 26)
e3 = Student("Sara", 27)

print("Number of Students:")
Student.showcount()

Output


Number of Students:
3

Advantages of Static Methods

Static methods offer several advantages:

Can be used as utility functions to perform frequently re-used tasks.
Invoked using the class name, eliminating dependency on instances.
Predictable behavior, unchanged regardless of class state.
Prevent method overriding by declaring a method as static.

Python Static Methods: How to Create and Use Them