Python class methods, when to return self?

Question

I\'m confused as to when to return self inside a class and when to return a value which may or may not possibly be used to check the method ran correctly.

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Answer 1

Generally, objects in python are mutable. You therefore do not return self, as the modifications you make in a method are reflected in the object itself.

To use your example:

api = API() # initialise the API
if api.connect(): # perhaps return a bool, indicating that the connection succeeded
    api.send_message() # you now know that this API instance is connected, and can send messages