Python’s built-in issubclass(X, Y) function takes a class X and a class Y and returns True if the X is an instance of Y and otherwise False. The argument Y can also be a tuple in which case it checks whether X is a subclass of any class in the tuple—such as in issubclass(X, (class_1, class_2, ...)).
Usage
Learn by example! Here’s an example on how to use the issubclass() built-in function.
class Car:
pass
class Porsche(Car):
speed = 200 #mph
print('Is Porsche a subclass of Car?')
print(issubclass(Porsche, Car))The output is:
Is Porsche a subclass of Car? True
Porsche is a subclass of Car because you set the inheritance hierarchy in the class definition with Porsche(Car). Porsche inherits ever method and attribute from its parent Car—so the function issubclass(Porsche, Car) returns True.
If you pass a non-parent of Porsche, the function will return False:
print(issubclass(Porsche, int)) # False
Video issubclass()
Syntax issubclass()
The issubclass() method has the following syntax:
Syntax: issubclass(class, class) # Check if a class is a subclass of another class. issubclass(class, (class_A, class_B, ...)) # Check if a class is a subclass of any of multiple other classes.
| Arguments | class | Class to be checked for being a subclass. |
class or tuple of classes | Class or tuple of classes the first argument should be checked against. | |
| Return Value | Boolean | Returns whether the class is a subclass of any of the classes given in the second argument. |
Return value from issubclass()
The issubclass(class, classes) method returns True if the class is a subclass of any of the classes given in the second argument. Otherwise, it returns False.
Interactive Shell Exercise: Understanding issubclass()
Consider the following interactive code:
Exercise: One of the outputs is False. Which one?
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Python issubclass() vs isinstance()
Python has two similar but different built-in functions issubclass() and isinstance().
- The function
issubclass()checks whether a class is a subclass of another class. - The function
isinstance()checks if an object is an instance of a class.
So, the difference between issubclass() and isinstance() is that the former is about the relationship between two classes and the latter is about the relationship between an instance and a class.
Here’s an example:
class Car:
pass
class Porsche(Car):
speed = 200 #mph
print(issubclass(Porsche, Car))
# True
your_car = Porsche()
print(isinstance(your_car, Car))
# True1Summary
Python’s built-in issubclass(X, Y) function takes a class X and a class Y and returns True if the X is an instance of Y and otherwise False.
class Car:
pass
class Porsche(Car):
speed = 200 #mph
print(issubclass(Porsche, Car))
# TrueThe argument Y can also be a tuple in which case it checks whether X is a subclass of any class in the tuple—such as in issubclass(X, (class_1, class_2, ...)).
print(issubclass(Porsche, (int, float, Car))) # True
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