Create an instance in a class in python

Question

I am trying to create a new instance of a class in Python. I tried the solution here: Instances in python

But it didn't work. So, my main class I have

if __name__ == '__main__':
 Tim = Person
 movement = Person.walk()

Where "Person" is the name of the class that I want to create and instance of. It has methods that I want to use.

I keep getting this error though:

Undefined Variable:Person

I also tried declaring the class instance within the actual metho, not init, but I got the same error.

Any suggestions are welcome. thanks

• freakish: That's an odd error. Did you import/define Person class properly? Plus you instantiate class by calling it: Person().

Answer 1

Correction: please use bracket after class if you want to create an instance of that class and use that instance to call the method inside the class.

if __name__ == '__main__':
 Tim = Person()
 movement = Tim.walk()

OR but less recommended

if __name__ == '__main__':
 movement = Person().walk()

• JustBlossom: I am getting the same error. Do the classes have to be in the same file? Maybe that is what is wrong? They are in the same directory, just different files
• That1Guy: @Blossom96 You have to import the Person class before you use it.
• James Sapam: Yes if the class is not in the same file, then you need to import the module i.e file, where the class is defined.
• James Sapam: After you import the module, you can use the class as module.Class()
• James Sapam: Could you please read this docs.python.org/2/tutorial/modules.html about how to import module.

Answer 2

You just need to add some parenthesis:

Tim = Person()

This tells python to access the constructor.

The code you provided though tells me you may not have a class Person defined. Your code should have a class Person defined.

class Person:
 def walk(self):
 print "I'm walking!"
if __name__ == "__main__":
 Time = Person
 movement = Person.walk()
 print movement

or you need a call to import the class Person

from my_other_python_file import Person
if __name__ == "__main__":
 Time = Person
 movement = Person.walk()
 print movement

Answer 3

You need to have parenthesis to call the constructor.

Tim = Person()

As you have it now, Tim = Person is interpreted as assign Tim the value of the variable Person which hasn't been defined.