Python callable() Explained

In programming, a callable is something that can be called. In this post, we want to discuss Python callable() Explained.

 

In Python, a callable is anything that can be called, using parentheses and maybe with some arguments. Functions, Generators, and Classes are inherently callable in Python. The  <a href="https://www.w3schools.com/python/ref_func_callable.asp">callable()</a> method takes an object and returns a boolean.

• True – if the object is callable
• False – if the object is not callable

The callable() method checks if the object is either of the two –

• An instance of a class with a __call__ method
• Is of a type that has a which indicates callability such as in functions, classes, etc., or has a non-null tp_call (c struct) member.

Since functions are callable in Python.

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This indicates that every time we create a function, Python creates a callable object for it. You can also verify the presence of __call__ attribute.

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Similarly for a Class,

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However, if you create an object and run the callable() method over that then you will observe that class objects are not inherently callable in Python.

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If you try to call the object with parenthesis you will get an error message saying the object is not callable.

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However, we can create classes having the __call__ method which makes instances of the class callable.

Making Class objects callable in Python

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Now if you call the object the __call__ method will run.

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Python callable() Explained