Why do I have to specify my own class when using super(), and is there a way to get around it?

Question

When using Python's super() to do method chaining, you have to explicitly specify your own class, for example:

    class MyDecorator(Decorator):
        def decorate(self):
            super(MyDecorator, self).decorate()

I have to specify the name of my class MyDecorator as an argument to super(). This is not DRY. When I rename my class now I will have to rename it twice. Why is this implemented this way? And is there a way to weasel out of having to write the name of the class twice(or more)?

Answer 1

The BDFL agrees. See Pep 367 - New Super for 2.6 and PEP 3135 - New Super for 3.0.

Answer 2

Your wishes come true:

Just use python 3.0. In it you just use super() and it does super(ThisClass, self).

Documentation here. Code sample from the documentation:

class C(B):
    def method(self, arg):
        super().method(arg)    
        # This does the same thing as: super(C, self).method(arg)

Answer 3

you can also avoid writing a concrete class name in older versions of python by using

def __init__(self):
    super(self.__class__, self)
    ...