Python __del__() Magic Method

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Python’s magic method __del__() is called the finalizer method or, wrongly, the destructor method — the latter being wrong because it doesn’t actually destroy the object. Python calls __del__() upon deletion of a given instance. For example, the expression del my_obj will eventually initiate my_obj.__del__().

We call this a “Dunder Method” for “Double Underscore Method” (also called “magic method”). To get a list of all dunder methods with explanation, check out our dunder cheat sheet article on this blog.

💡 Note: the expression del my_obj actually decrements the reference count for my_obj. It doesn’t directly call my_obj.__del__()because this method is only called when the reference count reaches zero.

Syntax and Example

object.__del__(self)

Let’s have a look at an example:

class MyClass:
    def __del__(self):
        print('hello world')


my_obj = MyClass()
del my_obj
# hello world

References: