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From: ram@zedat.fu-berlin.de (Stefan Ram)
Newsgroups: comp.lang.python
Subject: Re: I always forget how to access information about classes and methods - how to do it?
Date: 9 Mar 2026 19:21:50 GMT
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Chris Green <cl@isbd.net> wrote or quoted:
>I know one can access information about python3 classes and methods
>(e.g. list the methods in a class, show the parameters for a method,
>etc.) but I always forget how to do it.

  You can say (in the interactive console), with "int" as an
  example of a class and "to_bytes" as an example of a method
  (each line is a separate input):

int
int.to_bytes
(1).to_bytes.__qualname__
type( int )
type( int.to_bytes )
type( 1 )
type( (1).to_bytes )
dir( int )
dir( int.to_bytes )
help( int )
help( int.to_bytes )
help( 1 )
help( (1).to_bytes )
help() # and then later "quit" to quit help mode

  . Some IDEs give information or help about functions etc.
  after pressing some key, like Ctrl-Space or something.

  On Windows, the program group "Python" often has entries
  "Python 3.14 Manuals" and "Python 3.14 Module Docs".

  You can also find the Manuals in the Web as Web pages;
  I prefer the PDF manuals, but these now have been discontinued.

  You can ask any AI chatbot, "Tell me about the Python class int!",
  "What's the Web address of the Python documentation!" etc.