[ python-Bugs-1419989 ] class dictionary shortcircuits __getattr__

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Bugs item #1419989, was opened at 2006-01-31 02:08
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Category: Documentation
Group: Python 2.4
Status: Open
Resolution: None
Priority: 5
Submitted By: Shaun Cutts (shauncutts)
Assigned to: Nobody/Anonymous (nobody)
Summary: class dictionary shortcircuits __getattr__

Initial Comment:
page 3.3.2 of Language Reference states:

"....Note that at least for instance variables, you 
can fake total control by not inserting any values in 
the instance attribute dictionary (but instead 
inserting them in another object)."

A counterexample (doctest style):
-----------------------------
>>> class Foo:
...     bar = None
...     def __getattr__( self, attr ):
...         return 'boo'
...
>>> f = Foo()
>>> print "bar: ",f.bar
bar: None
------------------------------
'bar' in class dictionary (not just in instance 
dictionary) also causes __getattr__ not to be called.

BTW.. above in the doc, it says that __getattr__ 
called only if "normal methods" can't find attribute. 
So this would seem a documentation bug. 

However, right now at least, I would prefer if the 
instance dictionary alone were decisive.


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