What is the difference between a class method and a static method in Python?

Can you explain the difference between a class method and a static method in Python?

Sure! A class method is bound to the class and not the instance of the class. It takes 'cls' as the first parameter, while a static method does not take any special first parameter and behaves like a regular function.

When would I use a class method instead of a static method?

You would use a class method when you need to access or modify class state, while a static method is used when you don't need to access class or instance data.

Can you give me an example of each?

Of course! For a class method, you might use it to create an instance from a different set of data. For a static method, you might use it for utility functions that don't need class or instance context.

Are there any performance differences between the two?

Generally, there are no significant performance differences, but class methods may have a slight overhead due to the 'cls' parameter.