What are the differences between class, instance, and static methods?

Can you explain the differences between class methods, instance methods, and static methods?

Sure! Class methods are bound to the class and can modify class state. Instance methods are bound to the instance and can modify instance state. Static methods don't access class or instance state.

Can you give me an example of each type of method?

Of course! For instance methods, you might have a method that updates an object's attributes. A class method could be used to create an instance of the class, while a static method might perform a utility function that doesn't depend on class or instance data.

How do I define a class method and a static method in Python?

In Python, you define a class method using the @classmethod decorator and a static method using the @staticmethod decorator. For example:

class MyClass:
    @classmethod
    def class_method(cls):
        pass

    @staticmethod
    def static_method():
        pass

What are some use cases for static methods?

Static methods are great for utility functions that don't need access to class or instance data, like mathematical calculations or data formatting.