Python isinstance()
Python isinstance() builtin function is used to check if given instance is an instance of given class or sub class of given class.
In this tutorial, we will learn about the syntax of Python isinstance() function, and learn how to use this function with the help of examples.
Syntax
The syntax of isinstance() function is
isinstance(object, classinfo)
where
| Parameter | Required/Optional | Description |
|---|---|---|
| object | Required | A python object whose id has to be found out. |
| classinfo | Required | A class, a type, a tuple of classes, or a tuple of types. |
If given object is an instance of given type or matches an item in the tuple of types, subclass, or a subclass to an item present in the tuple of types, isinstance() function returns True. Else, isinstance() function returns False.
Returns
The function returns boolean value.
Examples
1. Check if given object is an instance of list
In this example, we will check if given object myList is an instance of a list class or not, using isinstance() builtin function.
Pass the object myList, and the type we would like to check this object against, i.e., list, to isinstance() function.
Python Program
myList = [24, 0, 8, 6]
result = isinstance(myList, list)
print(f'Is given object an instance of type list? {result}.') Try Online Output
Is given object an instance of type list? True.
Since, myList is object of type list, isinstance() returns True.
Now, let us take us check if myList is an object of type tuple. Since it is not, isinstance() should return False.
Python Program
myList = [24, 0, 8, 6]
result = isinstance(myList, tuple)
print(f'Is given object an instance of type list? {result}.') Try Online Output
Is given object an instance of type list? False.
2. instance() with Tuple of Types
In this example, we will check if given object myList is an instance of a list, tuple or range, using isinstance() builtin function.
Pass the object myList, and the types we would like to check this object against, i.e., (list, tuple, range), to isinstance() function.
Python Program
myList = [24, 0, 8, 6]
result = isinstance(myList, (list, tuple, range))
print(f'Is given object an instance of type list? {result}.') Try Online Output
Is given object an instance of type list? True.
Conclusion
In this Python Tutorial, we have learnt the syntax of Python isinstance() builtin function, and also learned how to use this function, with the help of Python example programs.