How to call a variable within a function if it runs under a Class

Question

How to call a variable within a function:

What is the Right approach:

• Should define the variable before class or
• We can define it under the class or function

Sample Code:

#!/usr/bin/env python3
# -*- coding: utf-8 -*-

import time

timeStamp = time.strftime("%Y%m%d%H%M%S")  # <-- Is this right Approach
class Scanner:

    INFO = 0
    DEBUG = 3
    timeStamp = time.strftime("%Y%m%d%H%M%S") # <-- ?

    def __init__(self, config_file, verbose=False):
        """ Constructor """

    def ask_passwords(self):
    def ldap_init(self):
    def hosts_module_scanner(self):
    def users_module_scanner(self):
    def ldap_reporting(self, user_list):
            self.write_report(failed_users, "users_ldap_report-{}.txt".format(timeStamp))


def option_parser(prog_version):
if __name__ == '__main__':
    scanner.ask_passwords()
    scanner.ldap_init()
    scanner.hosts_module_scanner()
    scanner.users_module_scanner()

Note: In the above example it doesn't work if i define under class.

Answer 1

You can call variables within a class, using the syntax: self.variable_name = # whatever you're assigning the variable.

As for where abouts in the class, your best bet is within the def init_() bit.

edit: As a more verbose answer. you'll define the variables in the init method as shown below. Using self.variable in a class, but outside the methods (class functions) will throw a "self is not defined" error.

class Scanner:
    def __init__(self, config_file, verbose=False):
        """ Constructor """
        self.INFO = 0
        self.DEBUG = 3
        self.timeStamp = time.strftime("%Y%m%d%H%M%S")
        #declare rest of variables here
    #other class methods go here