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![Chuwen Tan](https://secure.gravatar.com/avatar/4141cf6aedcf0d1fcd582727a7bc3d75?s=96&d=https%3A%2F%2Fecs-static.teamtreehouse.com%2Fassets%2Fcontent%2Fdefault_avatar-445fbbabfc8dc9188fb5967fe43322ee0c3e0dd1e10f378bf8343784af5a13eb.webp&r=pg)
Chuwen Tan
5,786 PointsCan't I writ Panda.food instead of self.food ?
class Panda:
species = 'Ailuropoda melanoleuca'
food = 'bamboo'
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.is_hungry = True
self.name = name
self.age = age
def eat(self):
self.is_hungry = False
return f"{self.name} eats{Panda.food}"
My thought was that food is a class attribute, not an instance attribute. Can't I use Panda.food instead of self.food? I would like to know the reason. Thank you!
class Panda:
species = 'Ailuropoda melanoleuca'
food = 'bamboo'
def __init__(self, name, age):
self.is_hungry = True
self.name = name
self.age = age
def eat(self):
self.is_hungry = False
return f"{self.name} eats{Panda.food}"
1 Answer
![Steven Parker](https://uploads.teamtreehouse.com/production/profile-photos/969492/micro_tool_chess_set_2.jpg)
Steven Parker
230,688 PointsIn actual practice, class variables can be accessed from inside a method by the class name or by "self". The quiz testing mechanism is looking specifically for a "self" reference. This might be intended to encourage using "self" for both class and instance variables.
If you think it's just a bug in the course, you may want to report this to Support. If they agree, it will get you a "special Exterminator badge".
Chuwen Tan
5,786 PointsChuwen Tan
5,786 PointsGot it. Thank you Steven!