The Python self Parameter

The self parameter is used in an instance method to gain access to the object (the instance) that called the method.

class MyClass:

    # The class constructor
    def __init__(self):
        self.variable = 42

    # an instance method
    def myMethod(self):
        return self.variable


 object = MyClass()   # Create an instance of MyClass
 object.myMethod()    # Call the instance method

Here, myMethod has self as a parameter. When we instantiate an object of type MyClass and call myMethod, Python will pass the object that called the method as a paraneter to that method via the self parameter. It's like calling object.myMethod(object) but we don't actually pass object in. Python does it for us, and does it silently.

self means "the object that called the method", or "this" object.

This is similar to many other languages where the this keyword is used to access "this" object. self is the same concept, with the difference being that it's listed explicitely as a parameter, rather than it being an implicit object as in other languages.

Note

The name "self" is just a convention. The first parameter of an instance method will always be a reference to the object that called the method, and by convention we use "self". You're welcome to call it "this" or "thisObject" or whatever, but to make life easier for others it's best to stick to conventions and use "self".