How to call subclass methods in a superclass in Python

Question

I want to know how to call subclass methods in the superclass.

Answer 1

I believe this is a pattern used often.

class A(object):
    def x(self):
        self.y()

    def y(self):
        print('default behavior')


class B(A):
    def y(self):
        print('Child B behavior')

class C(A):
    def z(self):
        pass

>>>B().x()
Child B behavior
>>>C().x()
default behavior

It is sort of like an abstract class, but provides default behavior. Can't remember the name of the pattern off the top of my head though.

Answer 2

Here's what I've just tried:

class A(object):
    def x(self): 
        print self.y()

class B(A):
    def y(self): 
        return 1

>>> B().x()
1

So unless you had some specific problem, just call a method from the subclass in the base class and it should just work.