type()
IntrospectionReturns the type of an object, or creates a new type dynamically.
Signature
type(object) | type(name, bases, dict)
Returns
typeExample
print(type(42)) # <class 'int'>
print(type('hello')) # <class 'str'>
print(type([])) # <class 'list'>About type()
type is a Python introspection function with the signature type(object) | type(name, bases, dict). Returns the type of an object, or creates a new type dynamically. It returns a value of type type.
Python provides a rich set of built-in functions and standard library modules that cover common programming tasks. Understanding these functions helps you write more idiomatic, efficient Python code. The typefunction is commonly used in data processing, web development, scripting, and automation tasks.
When working with type(), consider edge cases like empty inputs, None values, and type mismatches. Python's duck typing means many built-in functions work with any object that implements the required protocol (e.g., __len__ for len(), __iter__ for iteration). This flexibility is a key strength of Python's design philosophy.