Python: What should go in delete method

Question

I am new to Python, I want to understand more the purpose of the __delete__ method.

In my case I got a class that opens a file and I want to add file.close in __delete__ method. Would you consider this as a good idea? Or does the __delete__ is used in a different way?

From the docs I am not sure that am using it right. http://python-reference.readthedocs.io/en/latest/docs/dunderdsc/delete.html

__delete__ is one of the descriptor methods. Perhaps you want __del__? — vaultah
– vaultah, Commented Jun 19, 2017 at 21:18
@vaultah I added a link to the doc. Once again I am new in Python so I just want to do understand what delete does. What del is? — Ilya Gazman
– Ilya Gazman, Commented Jun 19, 2017 at 21:22
__delete__ is part of the descriptor protocol. Are you writing a descriptor? — juanpa.arrivillaga
– juanpa.arrivillaga, Commented Jun 19, 2017 at 21:23
Almost certainly you should not be messing with __del__, if that is indeed what you mean. You probably want a context manager. — juanpa.arrivillaga
– juanpa.arrivillaga, Commented Jun 19, 2017 at 21:23
...in which case it's __exit__, not either __del__ or __delete__. — jonrsharpe
– jonrsharpe, Commented Jun 19, 2017 at 21:28

9000 · Accepted Answer · 2017-06-19 21:28:31Z

2

The rule of thumb: if you want to use a destructor for resource management, don't. It's unpredictable and unreliable.

Your options:

Use a context manager (see contextlib) to deterministically free resources when a scope ends.
Use a behind-the-scenes list of weak references to resources and an exit hook; works for most cases of program termination.

answered Jun 19, 2017 at 21:28

9000

41k9 gold badges69 silver badges108 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Python: What should go in delete method

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related