Get Python class object from class name string in the same module

53
votes

I have a class

class Foo():
    def some_method():
        pass

And another class in the same module:

class Bar():
    def some_other_method():
        class_name = "Foo"
        # Can I access the class Foo above using the string "Foo"?

I want to be able to access the Foo class using the string "Foo".

I can do this if I'm in another module by using:

from project import foo_module
foo_class = getattr(foo_module, "Foo")

Can I do the same sort of thing in the same module?

The guys in IRC suggested I use a mapping dict that maps string class names to the classes, but I don't want to do that if there's an easier way.

3
python
and yes, using a mapping dict is probably the proper way to go... - Antti Haapala
Thanks. I ended up refactoring 'cause I didn't want to use globals or use a mapping dict. - Chris McKinnel

3 Answers

80
votes
import sys
getattr(sys.modules[__name__], "Foo")

# or 

globals()['Foo']
7
votes

You can do it with help of the sys module:

import sys

def str2Class(str):
    return getattr(sys.modules[__name__], str)
5
votes
globals()[class_name]

Note that if this isn't strictly necessary, you may want to refactor your code to not use it.