When Should You Use getattr and When Should You Use __getattribute__?

Delving into the Differences between getattr and getattribute

Understanding the appropriate usage of getattr and getattribute can be perplexing. In this article, we'll clarify the distinctions between these methods and provide guidance on when each should be employed.

getattr vs getattribute

When to Define getattr

The getattr method is designed to handle scenarios where an attribute is not found using the usual attribute resolution mechanisms. This functionality makes getattr ideal for implementing fallback mechanisms for missing attributes.

When to Define getattribute

getattribute__, on the other hand, is called before the interpreter attempts to access an object's attributes directly. Due to its earlier invocation, implementing __getattribute correctly can be challenging, as it's easy to introduce infinite recursion.

New-Style Classes

The distinction between getattr and getattribute is not solely based on whether the class is a new-style class. New-style classes, introduced in Python 2.2, have object as their explicit or implicit base class. However, the old-style vs. new-style class distinction is not the primary factor in choosing getattr over __getattribute__.

Choosing getattr

In most practical situations, getattr is the more suitable choice. It allows for the implementation of graceful fallback mechanisms for missing attributes, while getattribute requires careful implementation to avoid recursion issues.

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