How to create a utility class correctly [closed]
The second option is the modus operandi in Python. I mean, if all you're doing is importing functions, then you can do something like this:
from utility import some_func
which will import your function.
Best practice is if you're using only static functions, then just put them in the global namespace of a separate module, it will make your life a lot easier. What you're trying to do is make objects and just fill them in with static methods. Why do this, when you can just define the functions in a .py
file?
In fact, what you're trying to do has been done. You're trying to store away some good utility functions. Well, python-requests
, is a third party library that is just adored by the majority of Pythonistas just does this. It stores away its good utility functions in a separate module. Here is the example.
Classes encapsulate both data, and behavior, so as general rules:
- If you have something only with data, and no methods, it should probably be a
namedtuple
, not aclass
, unless you need to modify that data after creating it. - If a function accesses instance data, it should be a method.
- If a function accesses no instance data, but does access class data, it should be a
@classmethod
. - If a function accesses neither instance data nor class data, it should be a standalone function, unless there's some really compelling reason to make it a
@staticmethod
. - If a
class
only has one method, or one method in addition to__init__()
, then you almost certainly can and should rewrite it as a function.
Classes are really easy to abuse, but the temptation to shove everything into a class should really be avoided. You should use them when they make sense, and avoid using them when they don't.
While this question is a little opinion based, I'd say the second one is better. It reduces redundancy. Using the first method, you will have to do:
import utility
utility.utility.method1(...)
or:
from utility import utility
utility.method1(...)
Using the second one however allows you to simply do:
import utility
utility.method1(...)
or:
from utility import method1
method1(...)
If you are making a class that only contains static methods, my question is "why do you need the class?" It contributes nothing positive here.