Can I access class properties through an instance name?

Yes, you can access class properties through an instance name, as long as there is no instance property that has the same name as a class property.

When you reference a property through the instance name in the following form:

instance_name.property_name

Python will search for the given property name in instance_name.__dict__ first. If match found, return the value. If not match found, continue with the next step.

In the next step, Python will search the given property name in class_name.__dict__. If match found, return the value. If not match found, return error.

The following Python code shows you a good example of accessing class property through a instance name:

>>> class user():
...     nextID = 1
...     def __init__(self,name="Joe",age=25):
...         self.id = user.nextID
...         self.name = name
...         self.age = age
...         user.nextID = user.nextID + 1
...
>>> x = user()
>>> x.nextID
2

⇒ Defining and Using Python Code Modules

⇐ Where Are Instance Properties Stored

⇑ Defining and Using Class for New Data Types

⇑⇑ Python Tutorials