python - should I use static methods or top-level functions

Question

I come from a Java background and I\'m new to python. I have a couple scripts that share some helper functions unique to the application related to reading and writing file

Answer 1

If the function is related to a class, then make it a static method. For example:

class DBobject():
    name = StringProperty()

    @staticmethod
    def get_by_name(name):
        return db.select('select * from DBobject where name = "%s"' % name)

python = DBobject.get_by_name('python')

That is, the method is completely related to the DBobject class so it should be a static method.