python / python/cpython

Document that `inspect.isclass` returns False for `GenericAlias` instances

Open
#132,467 9 comments 0 reactions 1 assignee View on GitHub

@AbduazizZiyodov is already working on this.

Since Apr 13, 2025.

docs easy
Dominant language
Python
Stars
77.2k
Forks
35.9k
PR merge metrics
PR metrics pending

Description

Bug report

Bug description:

Hi
I am not sure if this is a bug, but I use the bug template because I couldn't find a better one to submit questions like this one.

The documentation says, "User-defined generic classes can be instantiated.".

import inspect
from typing import TypeVar, Generic

T = TypeVar("T")


class Node(Generic[T]):
    x: T  # Instance attribute (see below)

    def __init__(self, label: T | None = None) -> None:
        self.label = label


x = Node("")  # Inferred type is Node[str]
y = Node(0)  # Inferred type is Node[int]
z = Node()  # Inferred type is Node[Any]


# Also OK:
y = Node[int](0)


print(inspect.isclass(Node))  # True
print(inspect.isclass(Node[int]))  # False  (shouldn't this be True?)
print(inspect.isclass(Node[str]))  # False  (shouldn't this be True?)

In the example above, shouldn't calls such as inspect.isclass(Node[int]) return True, since they can be instantiated and used like normal classes?

CPython versions tested on:

3.13

Operating systems tested on:

Linux

Linked PRs
  • gh-133504
  • gh-150854
  • gh-151116
  • gh-151117

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Assessment

This issue has not been assessed yet.

Get new issues in your inbox

A short digest of beginner-friendly GitHub issues.