<!DOCTYPE qhelp PUBLIC

"-//Semmle//qhelp//EN"

"qhelp.dtd">

<qhelp>

<overview>

<p>The <code>__init__</code> method of a class is used to initialize new objects,

not create them. As such, it should not return any value. Returning <code>None</code>

is correct in the sense that no runtime error will occur,

but it suggests that the returned value is meaningful, which it is not.</p>

</overview>

<recommendation>

<p>Convert the <code>return expr</code> statement to a plain <code>return</code> statement,

or omit it altogether if it is at the end of the method.</p>

</recommendation>

<example>

<p>In this example, the <code>__init__</code> method attempts to return the newly created

object. This is an error and the return method should be removed.</p>

<sample src="ExplicitReturnInInit.py" />

</example>

<references>

<li>Python: <a href="http://docs.python.org/2.7/reference/datamodel.html#object.__init__">The __init__ method</a>.</li>

</references>

</qhelp>