function name is undefined in python class [duplicate]

Question

I am relatively new to python and i am experiencing some issues with namespacing.

class a:
    def abc(self):
        print "haha" 
    def test(self):
        abc()

b = a()
b.test() #throws an error of abc is not defined. cannot explain why is this so

It is working, the function abc() of class a is called by its instance. — Vivek Sable
– Vivek Sable, Commented Mar 2, 2015 at 8:06
I think instead of b.abc(), yours call to b.test() should be throwing the error. And that's because you should be calling abc() with the reference of the class instance. Simply replace abc() with self.abc() in test() function of class a. — Moinuddin Quadri
– Moinuddin Quadri, Commented Mar 2, 2015 at 8:10

Paul Lo · Accepted Answer · 2015-03-02 08:28:34Z

64

Since test() doesn't know who is abc, that msg NameError: global name 'abc' is not defined you see should happen when you invoke b.test() (calling b.abc() is fine), change it to:

class a:
    def abc(self):
        print "haha" 
    def test(self):
        self.abc()  
        # abc()

b = a()
b.abc() #  'haha' is printed
b.test() # 'haha' is printed

edited Mar 2, 2015 at 8:28

answered Mar 2, 2015 at 8:07

Paul Lo

6,1466 gold badges33 silver badges37 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Comments

G5W · Accepted Answer · 2017-02-05 00:48:50Z

30

In order to call method from the same class, you need the self keyword.

class a:
    def abc(self):
        print "haha" 
    def test(self):
        self.abc() // will look for abc method in 'a' class

Without the self keyword, python is looking for the abc method in the global scope, that is why you are getting this error.

edited Feb 5, 2017 at 0:48

G5W

37.8k10 gold badges57 silver badges85 bronze badges

answered Mar 2, 2015 at 8:11

Beri

11.6k4 gold badges38 silver badges59 bronze badges

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

function name is undefined in python class [duplicate]

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Linked

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

2 Answers 2

Comments

Comments

Linked

Related