In Python, when a function doesn't need an object prefix?

Question

In sorted(list(mydict.keys())), sorted and list doesn't need an object prefix someobject., but keys() needed dict1.. When, or for what functions, is the prefix necessary?

You should think the other way around. Are objects that need .something() to call their methods. — Rik Poggi
– Rik Poggi, Commented Mar 18, 2012 at 16:07

Taymon · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-18 15:51:39Z

6

Methods need to be called on a specific object. Functions don't.

The functions that are available at any time are the built-in ones, such as sorted and list, plus any functions that are in modules that you've imported or that you've defined yourself. The methods that are available on a particular object are the ones that are defined on that object's type.

answered Mar 18, 2012 at 15:51

Taymon

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2 Comments

qazwsx Over a year ago

Do the built-in functions have their "implicit" objects?

Taymon Over a year ago

No, actually, it's the other way around. All methods are really functions, and the object which the method is called on is implicitly passed as the first parameter. mydict.keys() is syntactic sugar for dict.keys(mydict).

Hernan · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-18 15:51:51Z

2

The "prefix" means that you are calling a method from an object (someobject or dict in your example). If your function is not a method of an object, you do not need "a prefix"

answered Mar 18, 2012 at 15:51

Hernan

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