How to create an object instance from a string??

[Tian]

How can I create an instance of an object from a string?

For example, I have a class Dog:
class Dog:
def bark(self):
print "Arf!!!"
I have a string:
classname = "Dog"

How can I create a instance of Dog from classname?
Is there any such methods like those in Java?

[Patrick Useldinger]

Tian wrote:

I have a string:
classname = "Dog"

It's easier without strings:

classname = Dog
classname().bark() Arf!!!

[Ksenia Marasanova]

On 19 Mar 2005 14:16:42 -0800, Tian <wa*********@gmail.com> wrote:

How can I create an instance of an object from a string?

For example, I have a class Dog:
class Dog:
def bark(self):
print "Arf!!!"

I have a string:
classname = "Dog"

How can I create a instance of Dog from classname?

If class Dog is in the same namespace:
dog_class = globals()[classname]
dog = dog_class()
dog.bark()

If class is declared in another file, e.g. "animals.py":
import animals
dog_class = getattr(animals, classname)
dog = dog_class()
dog.bark()
--
Ksenia

[Peter Hansen]

Tian wrote:

How can I create an instance of an object from a string?

For example, I have a class Dog:
class Dog:
def bark(self):
print "Arf!!!"
I have a string:
classname = "Dog"

How can I create a instance of Dog from classname?
Is there any such methods like those in Java?

You generally get a reference to the class object
(i.e. to Dog) using either globals(), locals(),
or getattr() as appropriate for the specific
situation at hand...

-Peter

[Tian]

This is very useful, thanks!

[Do Re Mi chel La Si Do]

Hi !
Also :
classname = "Dog"
exec("b="+classname+"()")
b.bark()

or

classname = "Dog"
exec("cl="+classname)
b=cl()
b.bark()

Michel Claveau

[Peter Hansen]

Do Re Mi chel La Si Do wrote:

Also :
classname = "Dog"
exec("b="+classname+"()")
b.bark()

or
classname = "Dog"
exec("cl="+classname)
b=cl()
b.bark()

Ugh.

The statement exec (note: it's a statement, not a
function call as you imply with the above) is rarely
either required or good style.

In this case it's neither.

-Peter

[Do Re Mi chel La Si Do]

Hi !
Sorry, but :

The statement exec does not have impact on the style.

Like with exefile or import (and other), the style is determined by the
contents. Rather judge "exec" (or import, or execfile) than the contents,
it is an error of causality.
@-salutations
--
Michel Claveau

[Max M]

Tian wrote:

How can I create an instance of an object from a string?

For example, I have a class Dog:

class Dog:
def bark(self):
print "Arf!!!"

def Factory(class_name):
classes = {
'Dog':Dog
}
return classes[class_name]
dog = Factory('Dog')()
--

hilsen/regards Max M, Denmark

http://www.mxm.dk/
IT's Mad Science

[Do Re Mi chel La Si Do]

Hi !

Finally, it's the best solution.

Michel Claveau