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 worldReferences: