Python decorators in classes

Question

Can one write something like:

class Test(object):
    def _decorator(self, foo):
        foo()

    @self._decorator
    def bar(self):
        pass

This fails: self in @self is unknown

I also tried:

@Test._decorator(self)

which also fails: Test unknown

I would like to temporarily change some instance variables in the decorator and then run the decorated method, before changing them back.

Answer 1

Would something like this do what you need?

class Test(object):
    def _decorator(foo):
        def magic( self ) :
            print "start magic"
            foo( self )
            print "end magic"
        return magic

    @_decorator
    def bar( self ) :
        print "normal call"

test = Test()

test.bar()

This avoids the call to self to access the decorator and leaves it hidden in the class namespace as a regular method.

>>> import stackoverflow
>>> test = stackoverflow.Test()
>>> test.bar()
start magic
normal call
end magic
>>> 

---

edited to answer question in comments:

How to use the hidden decorator in another class

class Test(object):
    def _decorator(foo):
        def magic( self ) :
            print "start magic"
            foo( self )
            print "end magic"
        return magic

    @_decorator
    def bar( self ) :
        print "normal call"

    _decorator = staticmethod( _decorator )

class TestB( Test ):
    @Test._decorator
    def bar( self ):
        print "override bar in"
        super( TestB, self ).bar()
        print "override bar out"

print "Normal:"
test = Test()
test.bar()
print

print "Inherited:"
b = TestB()
b.bar()
print

Output:

Normal:
start magic
normal call
end magic

Inherited:
start magic
override bar in
start magic
normal call
end magic
override bar out
end magic