The __metaclass__ attribute

Customizing class creation #

By default, new-style classes are constructed using type. A class definition is read into a separate namespace and the value of class name is bound to the result of type(name, bases, dict), where name is the name of the class, bases is a list of base classes, and dict is a namespace populated by the class statement.

When the class definition is read, if __metaclass__ is defined. it is used instead of type. The allows classes or functions to be written which monitor or alter the class creation process:

• Modifying the class dictionary prior to the class being created.
• Returning an instance of another class — essentially performing the role of a factory function.

__metaclass__

This variable can be any callable accepting arguments for name, bases, and dict. Upon class creation, the callable is used instead of the built-in type. New in version 2.2.

The appropriate metaclass is determined by the following precedence rules:

• If dict['__metaclass__'] exists, it is used.
• Otherwise, if there is at least one base class, its metaclass is used (this looks for a __class__ attribute first and if not found, uses its type). Note that this rule kicks in if you’re inheriting from object.
• Otherwise, if a global variable named __metaclass__ exists, it is used.
• Otherwise, the old-style, classic metaclass (types.ClassType) is used.

The potential uses for metaclasses are boundless. Some ideas that have been explored including logging, interface checking, automatic delegation, automatic property creation, proxies, frameworks, and automatic resource locking/synchronization.