Convert a python 'type' object to a string

python reflection
Rehno Lindeque picture Rehno Lindeque · Feb 15, 2011 · Viewed 143.4k times · Source

I'm wondering how to convert a python 'type' object into a string using python's reflective capabilities.

For example, I'd like to print the type of an object

print "My type is " + type(someObject) # (which obviously doesn't work like this)

Answer

Gabi Purcaru picture Gabi Purcaru · Feb 15, 2011 
print type(someObject).__name__

If that doesn't suit you, use this:

print some_instance.__class__.__name__

Example:

class A:
    pass
print type(A())
# prints <type 'instance'>
print A().__class__.__name__
# prints A

Also, it seems there are differences with type() when using new-style classes vs old-style (that is, inheritance from object). For a new-style class, type(someObject).__name__ returns the name, and for old-style classes it returns instance.

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