How Do `type()` and `isinstance()` Differ in Determining Object Types in Python?

Determining the Object Type

In Python, identifying the type of a variable is essential for various programming tasks. This article explores two built-in functions that assist in determining object types: type() and isinstance().

type() Function

The type() function returns the exact type object of a given object, providing the immediate type of the object.

>>> type([]) is list
True

isinstance() Function

The isinstance() function verifies an object's type by comparing it to a specified type or tuple of types. This function is preferred for type checking because it considers type inheritance.

>>> isinstance(b, Test1)
True
>>> isinstance(b, Test2)
True

Comparison and Usage

type() returns the exact type object, while isinstance() performs a type check against specified types. isinstance() is generally preferred as it handles type inheritance and allows multiple type checks in a single call.

>>> type(b) is Test1
False
>>> isinstance([], (tuple, list, set))
True

In conclusion, both type() and isinstance() provide effective ways to determine the type of an object, with isinstance() being the preferred choice for robust type checking.

The above is the detailed content of How Do `type()` and `isinstance()` Differ in Determining Object Types in Python?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!