Private Constructor in Python

Question

How do I create a private constructor which should be called only by the static function of the class and not from else where?

Answer 1

Quoting the Python style guide (PEP 8):

In addition, the following special forms using leading or trailing underscores are recognized (these can generally be combined with any case convention):

• _single_leading_underscore: weak "internal use" indicator. E.g. "from M import *" does not import objects whose name starts with an underscore.

• single_trailing_underscore_: used by convention to avoid conflicts with Python keyword, e.g. Tkinter.Toplevel(master, class_='ClassName')

• __double_leading_underscore: when naming a class attribute, invokes name mangling (inside class FooBar, __boo becomes _FooBar__boo; see below).

• __double_leading_and_trailing_underscore__: "magic" objects or attributes that live in user-controlled namespaces. E.g. __init__, __import__ or __file__. Never invent such names; only use them as documented.