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pythonmonkeypatching

Is decorators in python example of monkey patching technique?


Recently I was reading about monkey patching technique and wondered if it can be said.


Solution

  • Decorator = a function that takes a function as an argument and returns a function

    Monkey patching = replacing a value of a field on an object with a different value (not necessarly functions)

    In case of functions monkey patching can be performed via a decorator. So I guess decorator might be thought as an example of monkey patching. However commonly monkey patching refers to altering behaviour of a 3rd party library. In that case decorators are less useful.