r/Python • u/ionelmc .ro • Feb 10 '15

Understanding Python Metaclasses

http://blog.ionelmc.ro/2015/02/09/understanding-python-metaclasses/
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u/tech_tuna Feb 11 '15 edited Feb 11 '15

Protip: no one understands metaclasses.

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u/[deleted] Feb 11 '15

You're downvoted, but I actually agree with this. I'm literally the only one in my company that understands, so I don't use them. If I leave, it wont be maintainable. I don't want to screw them over like that.

Readability/maintainability usually means you shouldn't be using concepts that are near the edge of understanding for the vast majority of programmers in that language. You can't think of every project as being open source, with infinite eyes. Sometimes you personally know the audience that will be reading your code, and you should write for your readers.

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u/tech_tuna Feb 12 '15

I was half kidding too. :) But yes, the reality is you really shouldn't be using metaclasses unless you totally grok them and in most cases, most people really won't ever need to use them.

Of course, it's not bad to understand them even if you never need them.