Python Singletons: Module or Class – Which Approach Wins?

Assigning Singletons: Modular Simplicity vs Class-Based Encapsulation

Many developers seek efficient techniques to define singletons in Python, but the optimal approach remains a topic of debate. This question explores whether a consensus opinion has emerged within the Stack Overflow community regarding singleton implementation.

One response advocates against creating a singleton class entirely, suggesting that a module with functions can sufficiently serve as a singleton. Since a module cannot be instantiated repeatedly, all its variables would be exclusive to that module, effectively creating a singleton structure.

However, if the use of a class is preferred, the author acknowledges the absence of private classes and constructors in Python, which prevents protecting against multiple instantiations. They emphasize that this restriction necessitates relying on convention in the API's usage rather than formal enforcement.

Ultimately, the author reiterates the simplicity and effectiveness of utilizing a module as a singleton, highlighting the module's inherent encapsulation of variables.

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