python / python/mypy

Confusing error when subclassing `var.__class__`

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#13,060 3 comments 0 reactions 0 assignees View on GitHub

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bug topic-runtime-semantics
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Consider this example:

x: int = 1
class X(x.__class__):
    # Name "x.__class__" is not defined
    # Class cannot subclass "__class__" (has type "Any")
    pass

Name "x.__class__" is not defined is confusing. Why x.__class__ is considered a name? I suggest removing this error in this case.

My Environment

  • mypy 0.961 (compiled: no)
  • no command-line flags, no config file
  • CPython 3.10.4
  • Windows 10

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First steps

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  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Use the Python example in the issue as the reproducer and trace how the type checker handles an attribute expression used as a class base. Confirm the diagnostic currently reported for x.__class__, then adjust the behavior so this confusing name error is removed in that case and verify the example no longer produces it.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
devtools
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
4/5
Estimated time
3-5 days
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Mostly clear
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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