python - Using property() on classmethods

Question

I have a class with two class methods (using the classmethod() function) for getting and setting what is essentially a static variable. I tried to use the property() function with these, but it results in an error. I was able to reproduce the error with the following in the interpreter:

class Foo(object):
    _var = 5
    @classmethod
    def getvar(cls):
        return cls._var
    @classmethod
    def setvar(cls, value):
        cls._var = value
    var = property(getvar, setvar)

I can demonstrate the class methods, but they don't work as properties:

>>> f = Foo()
>>> f.getvar()
5
>>> f.setvar(4)
>>> f.getvar()
4
>>> f.var
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in ?
TypeError: 'classmethod' object is not callable
>>> f.var=5
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<stdin>", line 1, in ?
TypeError: 'classmethod' object is not callable

Is it possible to use the property() function with @classmethod decorated functions?

Answer 1

Python >= 3.9

Just use both decorators together. See this answer.

Python < 3.9

A property is created on a class but affects an instance. So if you want a classmethod property, create the property on the metaclass.

>>> class foo(object):
...     _var = 5
...     class __metaclass__(type):  # Python 2 syntax for metaclasses
...         pass
...     @classmethod
...     def getvar(cls):
...         return cls._var
...     @classmethod
...     def setvar(cls, value):
...         cls._var = value
...     
>>> foo.__metaclass__.var = property(foo.getvar.im_func, foo.setvar.im_func)
>>> foo.var
5
>>> foo.var = 3
>>> foo.var
3

But since you're using a metaclass anyway, it will read better if you just move the classmethods in there.

>>> class foo(object):
...     _var = 5
...     class __metaclass__(type):  # Python 2 syntax for metaclasses
...         @property
...         def var(cls):
...             return cls._var
...         @var.setter
...         def var(cls, value):
...             cls._var = value
... 
>>> foo.var
5
>>> foo.var = 3
>>> foo.var
3

or, using Python 3's metaclass=... syntax, and the metaclass defined outside of the foo class body, and the metaclass responsible for setting the initial value of _var:

>>> class foo_meta(type):
...     def __init__(cls, *args, **kwargs):
...         cls._var = 5
...     @property
...     def var(cls):
...         return cls._var
...     @var.setter
...     def var(cls, value):
...         cls._var = value
...
>>> class foo(metaclass=foo_meta):
...     pass
...
>>> foo.var
5
>>> foo.var = 3
>>> foo.var
3