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codeql/python/ql/src/Classes/InitCallsSubclassMethod.qhelp
2018-11-19 15:10:42 +00:00

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<!DOCTYPE qhelp PUBLIC
"-//Semmle//qhelp//EN"
"qhelp.dtd">
<qhelp>
<overview>
<p>
When an instance of a class is initialized, the super-class state should be
fully initialized before it becomes visible to the subclass.
Calling methods of the subclass in the superclass' <code>__init__</code>
method violates this important invariant.
</p>
</overview>
<recommendation>
<p>Do not use methods that are subclassed in the construction of an object.
For simpler cases move the initialization into the superclass' <code>__init__</code> method,
preventing it being overridden. Additional initialization of subclass should
be done in the <code>__init__</code> method of the subclass.
For more complex cases, it is advisable to use a static method or function to manage
object creation.
</p>
<p>Alternatively, avoid inheritance altogether using composition instead.</p>
</recommendation>
<example>
<sample src="InitCallsSubclassMethod.py" />
</example>
<references>
<li>CERT Secure Coding: <a href="https://www.securecoding.cert.org/confluence/display/java/MET05-J.+Ensure+that+constructors+do+not+call+overridable+methods">
Rule MET05-J</a>. Although this is a Java rule it applies to most object-oriented languages.</li>
<li>Python Standard Library: <a href="http://docs.python.org/library/functions.html#staticmethod">Static methods</a>.</li>
<li>Wikipedia: <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Composition_over_inheritance">Composition over inheritance</a>.</li>
</references>
</qhelp>