cpython/Doc/library/ast.rst

:mod:`!ast` --- Abstract Syntax Trees
=====================================

.. module:: ast
   :synopsis: Abstract Syntax Tree classes and manipulation.

.. sectionauthor:: Martin v. Löwis <martin@v.loewis.de>
.. sectionauthor:: Georg Brandl <georg@python.org>

.. testsetup::

    import ast

**Source code:** :source:`Lib/ast.py`

--------------

The :mod:`ast` module helps Python applications to process trees of the Python
abstract syntax grammar.  The abstract syntax itself might change with each
Python release; this module helps to find out programmatically what the current
grammar looks like.

An abstract syntax tree can be generated by passing :data:`ast.PyCF_ONLY_AST` as
a flag to the :func:`compile` built-in function, or using the :func:`parse`
helper provided in this module.  The result will be a tree of objects whose
classes all inherit from :class:`ast.AST`.  An abstract syntax tree can be
compiled into a Python code object using the built-in :func:`compile` function.


.. _abstract-grammar:

Abstract Grammar
----------------

The abstract grammar is currently defined as follows:

.. literalinclude:: ../../Parser/Python.asdl
   :language: asdl


Node classes
------------

.. class:: AST

   This is the base of all AST node classes.  The actual node classes are
   derived from the :file:`Parser/Python.asdl` file, which is reproduced
   :ref:`above <abstract-grammar>`.  They are defined in the :mod:`!_ast` C
   module and re-exported in :mod:`ast`.

   There is one class defined for each left-hand side symbol in the abstract
   grammar (for example, :class:`ast.stmt` or :class:`ast.expr`).  In addition,
   there is one class defined for each constructor on the right-hand side; these
   classes inherit from the classes for the left-hand side trees.  For example,
   :class:`ast.BinOp` inherits from :class:`ast.expr`.  For production rules
   with alternatives (aka "sums"), the left-hand side class is abstract: only
   instances of specific constructor nodes are ever created.

   .. index:: single: ? (question mark); in AST grammar
   .. index:: single: * (asterisk); in AST grammar

   .. attribute:: _fields

      Each concrete class has an attribute :attr:`!_fields` which gives the names
      of all child nodes.

      Each instance of a concrete class has one attribute for each child node,
      of the type as defined in the grammar.  For example, :class:`ast.BinOp`
      instances have an attribute :attr:`left` of type :class:`ast.expr`.

      If these attributes are marked as optional in the grammar (using a
      question mark), the value might be ``None``.  If the attributes can have
      zero-or-more values (marked with an asterisk), the values are represented
      as Python lists.  All possible attributes must be present and have valid
      values when compiling an AST with :func:`compile`.

   .. attribute:: _field_types

      The :attr:`!_field_types` attribute on each concrete class is a dictionary
      mapping field names (as also listed in :attr:`_fields`) to their types.

      .. doctest::

           >>> ast.TypeVar._field_types
           {'name': <class 'str'>, 'bound': ast.expr | None, 'default_value': ast.expr | None}

      .. versionadded:: 3.13

   .. attribute:: lineno
                  col_offset
                  end_lineno
                  end_col_offset

      Instances of :class:`ast.expr` and :class:`ast.stmt` subclasses have
      :attr:`lineno`, :attr:`col_offset`, :attr:`end_lineno`, and
      :attr:`end_col_offset` attributes.  The :attr:`lineno` and :attr:`end_lineno`
      are the first and last line numbers of source text span (1-indexed so the
      first line is line 1) and the :attr:`col_offset` and :attr:`end_col_offset`
      are the corresponding UTF-8 byte offsets of the first and last tokens that
      generated the node. The UTF-8 offset is recorded because the parser uses
      UTF-8 internally.

      Note that the end positions are not required by the compiler and are
      therefore optional. The end offset is *after* the last symbol, for example
      one can get the source segment of a one-line expression node using
      ``source_line[node.col_offset : node.end_col_offset]``.

   The constructor of a class :class:`ast.T` parses its arguments as follows:

   * If there are positional arguments, there must be as many as there are items
     in :attr:`T._fields`; they will be assigned as attributes of these names.
   * If there are keyword arguments, they will set the attributes of the same
     names to the given values.

   For example, to create and populate an :class:`ast.UnaryOp` node, you could
   use ::

      node = ast.UnaryOp(ast.USub(), ast.Constant(5, lineno=0, col_offset=0),
                         lineno=0, col_offset=0)

   If a field that is optional in the grammar is omitted from the constructor,
   it defaults to ``None``. If a list field is omitted, it defaults to the empty
   list. If a field of type :class:`!ast.expr_context` is omitted, it defaults to
   :class:`Load() <ast.Load>`. If any other field is omitted, a :exc:`DeprecationWarning` is raised
   and the AST node will not have this field. In Python 3.15, this condition will
   raise an error.

.. versionchanged:: 3.8

   Class :class:`ast.Constant` is now used for all constants.

.. versionchanged:: 3.9

   Simple indices are represented by their value, extended slices are
   represented as tuples.

.. deprecated:: 3.8

   Old classes :class:`!ast.Num`, :class:`!ast.Str`, :class:`!ast.Bytes`,
   :class:`!ast.NameConstant` and :class:`!ast.Ellipsis` are still available,
   but they will be removed in future Python releases.  In the meantime,
   instantiating them will return an instance of a different class.

.. deprecated:: 3.9

   Old classes :class:`!ast.Index` and :class:`!ast.ExtSlice` are still
   available, but they will be removed in future Python releases.
   In the meantime, instantiating them will return an instance of
   a different class.

.. deprecated-removed:: 3.13 3.15

   Previous versions of Python allowed the creation of AST nodes that were missing
   required fields. Similarly, AST node constructors allowed arbitrary keyword
   arguments that were set as attributes of the AST node, even if they did not
   match any of the fields of the AST node. This behavior is deprecated and will
   be removed in Python 3.15.

.. note::
    The descriptions of the specific node classes displayed here
    were initially adapted from the fantastic `Green Tree
    Snakes <https://greentreesnakes.readthedocs.io/en/latest/>`__ project and
    all its contributors.


.. _ast-root-nodes:

Root nodes
^^^^^^^^^^

.. class:: Module(body, type_ignores)

   A Python module, as with :ref:`file input <file-input>`.
   Node type generated by :func:`ast.parse` in the default ``"exec"`` *mode*.

   ``body`` is a :class:`list` of the module's :ref:`ast-statements`.

   ``type_ignores`` is a :class:`list` of the module's type ignore comments;
   see :func:`ast.parse` for more details.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('x = 1'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Assign(
                    targets=[
                        Name(id='x', ctx=Store())],
                    value=Constant(value=1))])


.. class:: Expression(body)

   A single Python :ref:`expression input <expression-input>`.
   Node type generated by :func:`ast.parse` when *mode* is ``"eval"``.

   ``body`` is a single node,
   one of the :ref:`expression types <ast-expressions>`.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('123', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=Constant(value=123))


.. class:: Interactive(body)

   A single :ref:`interactive input <interactive>`, like in :ref:`tut-interac`.
   Node type generated by :func:`ast.parse` when *mode* is ``"single"``.

   ``body`` is a :class:`list` of :ref:`statement nodes <ast-statements>`.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('x = 1; y = 2', mode='single'), indent=4))
        Interactive(
            body=[
                Assign(
                    targets=[
                        Name(id='x', ctx=Store())],
                    value=Constant(value=1)),
                Assign(
                    targets=[
                        Name(id='y', ctx=Store())],
                    value=Constant(value=2))])


.. class:: FunctionType(argtypes, returns)

   A representation of an old-style type comments for functions,
   as Python versions prior to 3.5 didn't support :pep:`484` annotations.
   Node type generated by :func:`ast.parse` when *mode* is ``"func_type"``.

   Such type comments would look like this::

       def sum_two_number(a, b):
           # type: (int, int) -> int
           return a + b

   ``argtypes`` is a :class:`list` of :ref:`expression nodes <ast-expressions>`.

   ``returns`` is a single :ref:`expression node <ast-expressions>`.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('(int, str) -> List[int]', mode='func_type'), indent=4))
        FunctionType(
            argtypes=[
                Name(id='int', ctx=Load()),
                Name(id='str', ctx=Load())],
            returns=Subscript(
                value=Name(id='List', ctx=Load()),
                slice=Name(id='int', ctx=Load()),
                ctx=Load()))

   .. versionadded:: 3.8


Literals
^^^^^^^^

.. class:: Constant(value)

   A constant value. The ``value`` attribute of the ``Constant`` literal contains the
   Python object it represents. The values represented can be simple types
   such as a number, string or ``None``, but also immutable container types
   (tuples and frozensets) if all of their elements are constant.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('123', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=Constant(value=123))


.. class:: FormattedValue(value, conversion, format_spec)

   Node representing a single formatting field in an f-string. If the string
   contains a single formatting field and nothing else the node can be
   isolated otherwise it appears in :class:`JoinedStr`.

   * ``value`` is any expression node (such as a literal, a variable, or a
     function call).
   * ``conversion`` is an integer:

     * -1: no formatting
     * 115: ``!s`` string formatting
     * 114: ``!r`` repr formatting
     * 97: ``!a`` ascii formatting

   * ``format_spec`` is a :class:`JoinedStr` node representing the formatting
     of the value, or ``None`` if no format was specified. Both
     ``conversion`` and ``format_spec`` can be set at the same time.


.. class:: JoinedStr(values)

   An f-string, comprising a series of :class:`FormattedValue` and :class:`Constant`
   nodes.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('f"sin({a}) is {sin(a):.3}"', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=JoinedStr(
                values=[
                    Constant(value='sin('),
                    FormattedValue(
                        value=Name(id='a', ctx=Load()),
                        conversion=-1),
                    Constant(value=') is '),
                    FormattedValue(
                        value=Call(
                            func=Name(id='sin', ctx=Load()),
                            args=[
                                Name(id='a', ctx=Load())]),
                        conversion=-1,
                        format_spec=JoinedStr(
                            values=[
                                Constant(value='.3')]))]))


.. class:: List(elts, ctx)
           Tuple(elts, ctx)

   A list or tuple. ``elts`` holds a list of nodes representing the elements.
   ``ctx`` is :class:`Store` if the container is an assignment target (i.e.
   ``(x,y)=something``), and :class:`Load` otherwise.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('[1, 2, 3]', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=List(
                elts=[
                    Constant(value=1),
                    Constant(value=2),
                    Constant(value=3)],
                ctx=Load()))
        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('(1, 2, 3)', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=Tuple(
                elts=[
                    Constant(value=1),
                    Constant(value=2),
                    Constant(value=3)],
                ctx=Load()))


.. class:: Set(elts)

   A set. ``elts`` holds a list of nodes representing the set's elements.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('{1, 2, 3}', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=Set(
                elts=[
                    Constant(value=1),
                    Constant(value=2),
                    Constant(value=3)]))


.. class:: Dict(keys, values)

   A dictionary. ``keys`` and ``values`` hold lists of nodes representing the
   keys and the values respectively, in matching order (what would be returned
   when calling :code:`dictionary.keys()` and :code:`dictionary.values()`).

   When doing dictionary unpacking using dictionary literals the expression to be
   expanded goes in the ``values`` list, with a ``None`` at the corresponding
   position in ``keys``.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('{"a":1, **d}', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=Dict(
                keys=[
                    Constant(value='a'),
                    None],
                values=[
                    Constant(value=1),
                    Name(id='d', ctx=Load())]))


Variables
^^^^^^^^^

.. class:: Name(id, ctx)

   A variable name. ``id`` holds the name as a string, and ``ctx`` is one of
   the following types.


.. class:: Load()
           Store()
           Del()

   Variable references can be used to load the value of a variable, to assign
   a new value to it, or to delete it. Variable references are given a context
   to distinguish these cases.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('a'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Expr(
                    value=Name(id='a', ctx=Load()))])

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('a = 1'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Assign(
                    targets=[
                        Name(id='a', ctx=Store())],
                    value=Constant(value=1))])

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('del a'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Delete(
                    targets=[
                        Name(id='a', ctx=Del())])])


.. class:: Starred(value, ctx)

   A ``*var`` variable reference. ``value`` holds the variable, typically a
   :class:`Name` node. This type must be used when building a :class:`Call`
   node with ``*args``.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('a, *b = it'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Assign(
                    targets=[
                        Tuple(
                            elts=[
                                Name(id='a', ctx=Store()),
                                Starred(
                                    value=Name(id='b', ctx=Store()),
                                    ctx=Store())],
                            ctx=Store())],
                    value=Name(id='it', ctx=Load()))])


.. _ast-expressions:

Expressions
^^^^^^^^^^^

.. class:: Expr(value)

   When an expression, such as a function call, appears as a statement by itself
   with its return value not used or stored, it is wrapped in this container.
   ``value`` holds one of the other nodes in this section, a :class:`Constant`, a
   :class:`Name`, a :class:`Lambda`, a :class:`Yield` or :class:`YieldFrom` node.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('-a'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Expr(
                    value=UnaryOp(
                        op=USub(),
                        operand=Name(id='a', ctx=Load())))])


.. class:: UnaryOp(op, operand)

   A unary operation. ``op`` is the operator, and ``operand`` any expression
   node.


.. class:: UAdd
           USub
           Not
           Invert

   Unary operator tokens. :class:`Not` is the ``not`` keyword, :class:`Invert`
   is the ``~`` operator.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('not x', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=UnaryOp(
                op=Not(),
                operand=Name(id='x', ctx=Load())))


.. class:: BinOp(left, op, right)

   A binary operation (like addition or division). ``op`` is the operator, and
   ``left`` and ``right`` are any expression nodes.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('x + y', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=BinOp(
                left=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                op=Add(),
                right=Name(id='y', ctx=Load())))


.. class:: Add
           Sub
           Mult
           Div
           FloorDiv
           Mod
           Pow
           LShift
           RShift
           BitOr
           BitXor
           BitAnd
           MatMult

   Binary operator tokens.


.. class:: BoolOp(op, values)

   A boolean operation, 'or' or 'and'. ``op`` is :class:`Or` or :class:`And`.
   ``values`` are the values involved. Consecutive operations with the same
   operator, such as ``a or b or c``, are collapsed into one node with several
   values.

   This doesn't include ``not``, which is a :class:`UnaryOp`.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('x or y', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=BoolOp(
                op=Or(),
                values=[
                    Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    Name(id='y', ctx=Load())]))


.. class:: And
           Or

   Boolean operator tokens.


.. class:: Compare(left, ops, comparators)

   A comparison of two or more values. ``left`` is the first value in the
   comparison, ``ops`` the list of operators, and ``comparators`` the list
   of values after the first element in the comparison.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('1 <= a < 10', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=Compare(
                left=Constant(value=1),
                ops=[
                    LtE(),
                    Lt()],
                comparators=[
                    Name(id='a', ctx=Load()),
                    Constant(value=10)]))


.. class:: Eq
           NotEq
           Lt
           LtE
           Gt
           GtE
           Is
           IsNot
           In
           NotIn

   Comparison operator tokens.


.. class:: Call(func, args, keywords)

   A function call. ``func`` is the function, which will often be a
   :class:`Name` or :class:`Attribute` object. Of the arguments:

   * ``args`` holds a list of the arguments passed by position.
   * ``keywords`` holds a list of :class:`.keyword` objects representing
     arguments passed by keyword.

   The ``args`` and ``keywords`` arguments are optional and default to empty lists.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('func(a, b=c, *d, **e)', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=Call(
                func=Name(id='func', ctx=Load()),
                args=[
                    Name(id='a', ctx=Load()),
                    Starred(
                        value=Name(id='d', ctx=Load()),
                        ctx=Load())],
                keywords=[
                    keyword(
                        arg='b',
                        value=Name(id='c', ctx=Load())),
                    keyword(
                        value=Name(id='e', ctx=Load()))]))


.. class:: keyword(arg, value)

   A keyword argument to a function call or class definition. ``arg`` is a raw
   string of the parameter name, ``value`` is a node to pass in.


.. class:: IfExp(test, body, orelse)

   An expression such as ``a if b else c``. Each field holds a single node, so
   in the following example, all three are :class:`Name` nodes.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('a if b else c', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=IfExp(
                test=Name(id='b', ctx=Load()),
                body=Name(id='a', ctx=Load()),
                orelse=Name(id='c', ctx=Load())))


.. class:: Attribute(value, attr, ctx)

   Attribute access, e.g. ``d.keys``. ``value`` is a node, typically a
   :class:`Name`. ``attr`` is a bare string giving the name of the attribute,
   and ``ctx`` is :class:`Load`, :class:`Store` or :class:`Del` according to how
   the attribute is acted on.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('snake.colour', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=Attribute(
                value=Name(id='snake', ctx=Load()),
                attr='colour',
                ctx=Load()))


.. class:: NamedExpr(target, value)

   A named expression. This AST node is produced by the assignment expressions
   operator (also known as the walrus operator). As opposed to the :class:`Assign`
   node in which the first argument can be multiple nodes, in this case both
   ``target`` and ``value`` must be single nodes.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('(x := 4)', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=NamedExpr(
                target=Name(id='x', ctx=Store()),
                value=Constant(value=4)))

   .. versionadded:: 3.8

Subscripting
~~~~~~~~~~~~

.. class:: Subscript(value, slice, ctx)

   A subscript, such as ``l[1]``. ``value`` is the subscripted object
   (usually sequence or mapping). ``slice`` is an index, slice or key.
   It can be a :class:`Tuple` and contain a :class:`Slice`.
   ``ctx`` is :class:`Load`, :class:`Store` or :class:`Del`
   according to the action performed with the subscript.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('l[1:2, 3]', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=Subscript(
                value=Name(id='l', ctx=Load()),
                slice=Tuple(
                    elts=[
                        Slice(
                            lower=Constant(value=1),
                            upper=Constant(value=2)),
                        Constant(value=3)],
                    ctx=Load()),
                ctx=Load()))


.. class:: Slice(lower, upper, step)

   Regular slicing (on the form ``lower:upper`` or ``lower:upper:step``).
   Can occur only inside the *slice* field of :class:`Subscript`, either
   directly or as an element of :class:`Tuple`.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('l[1:2]', mode='eval'), indent=4))
        Expression(
            body=Subscript(
                value=Name(id='l', ctx=Load()),
                slice=Slice(
                    lower=Constant(value=1),
                    upper=Constant(value=2)),
                ctx=Load()))


Comprehensions
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

.. class:: ListComp(elt, generators)
           SetComp(elt, generators)
           GeneratorExp(elt, generators)
           DictComp(key, value, generators)

   List and set comprehensions, generator expressions, and dictionary
   comprehensions. ``elt`` (or ``key`` and ``value``) is a single node
   representing the part that will be evaluated for each item.

   ``generators`` is a list of :class:`comprehension` nodes.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(
        ...     ast.parse('[x for x in numbers]', mode='eval'),
        ...     indent=4,
        ... ))
        Expression(
            body=ListComp(
                elt=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                generators=[
                    comprehension(
                        target=Name(id='x', ctx=Store()),
                        iter=Name(id='numbers', ctx=Load()),
                        is_async=0)]))
        >>> print(ast.dump(
        ...     ast.parse('{x: x**2 for x in numbers}', mode='eval'),
        ...     indent=4,
        ... ))
        Expression(
            body=DictComp(
                key=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                value=BinOp(
                    left=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    op=Pow(),
                    right=Constant(value=2)),
                generators=[
                    comprehension(
                        target=Name(id='x', ctx=Store()),
                        iter=Name(id='numbers', ctx=Load()),
                        is_async=0)]))
        >>> print(ast.dump(
        ...     ast.parse('{x for x in numbers}', mode='eval'),
        ...     indent=4,
        ... ))
        Expression(
            body=SetComp(
                elt=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                generators=[
                    comprehension(
                        target=Name(id='x', ctx=Store()),
                        iter=Name(id='numbers', ctx=Load()),
                        is_async=0)]))


.. class:: comprehension(target, iter, ifs, is_async)

   One ``for`` clause in a comprehension. ``target`` is the reference to use for
   each element - typically a :class:`Name` or :class:`Tuple` node. ``iter``
   is the object to iterate over. ``ifs`` is a list of test expressions: each
   ``for`` clause can have multiple ``ifs``.

   ``is_async`` indicates a comprehension is asynchronous (using an
   ``async for`` instead of ``for``). The value is an integer (0 or 1).

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('[ord(c) for line in file for c in line]', mode='eval'),
        ...                indent=4)) # Multiple comprehensions in one.
        Expression(
            body=ListComp(
                elt=Call(
                    func=Name(id='ord', ctx=Load()),
                    args=[
                        Name(id='c', ctx=Load())]),
                generators=[
                    comprehension(
                        target=Name(id='line', ctx=Store()),
                        iter=Name(id='file', ctx=Load()),
                        is_async=0),
                    comprehension(
                        target=Name(id='c', ctx=Store()),
                        iter=Name(id='line', ctx=Load()),
                        is_async=0)]))

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('(n**2 for n in it if n>5 if n<10)', mode='eval'),
        ...                indent=4)) # generator comprehension
        Expression(
            body=GeneratorExp(
                elt=BinOp(
                    left=Name(id='n', ctx=Load()),
                    op=Pow(),
                    right=Constant(value=2)),
                generators=[
                    comprehension(
                        target=Name(id='n', ctx=Store()),
                        iter=Name(id='it', ctx=Load()),
                        ifs=[
                            Compare(
                                left=Name(id='n', ctx=Load()),
                                ops=[
                                    Gt()],
                                comparators=[
                                    Constant(value=5)]),
                            Compare(
                                left=Name(id='n', ctx=Load()),
                                ops=[
                                    Lt()],
                                comparators=[
                                    Constant(value=10)])],
                        is_async=0)]))

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('[i async for i in soc]', mode='eval'),
        ...                indent=4)) # Async comprehension
        Expression(
            body=ListComp(
                elt=Name(id='i', ctx=Load()),
                generators=[
                    comprehension(
                        target=Name(id='i', ctx=Store()),
                        iter=Name(id='soc', ctx=Load()),
                        is_async=1)]))


.. _ast-statements:

Statements
^^^^^^^^^^

.. class:: Assign(targets, value, type_comment)

   An assignment. ``targets`` is a list of nodes, and ``value`` is a single node.

   Multiple nodes in ``targets`` represents assigning the same value to each.
   Unpacking is represented by putting a :class:`Tuple` or :class:`List`
   within ``targets``.

   .. attribute:: type_comment

       ``type_comment`` is an optional string with the type annotation as a comment.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('a = b = 1'), indent=4)) # Multiple assignment
        Module(
            body=[
                Assign(
                    targets=[
                        Name(id='a', ctx=Store()),
                        Name(id='b', ctx=Store())],
                    value=Constant(value=1))])

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('a,b = c'), indent=4)) # Unpacking
        Module(
            body=[
                Assign(
                    targets=[
                        Tuple(
                            elts=[
                                Name(id='a', ctx=Store()),
                                Name(id='b', ctx=Store())],
                            ctx=Store())],
                    value=Name(id='c', ctx=Load()))])


.. class:: AnnAssign(target, annotation, value, simple)

   An assignment with a type annotation. ``target`` is a single node and can
   be a :class:`Name`, an :class:`Attribute` or a :class:`Subscript`.
   ``annotation`` is the annotation, such as a :class:`Constant` or :class:`Name`
   node. ``value`` is a single optional node.

   ``simple`` is always either 0 (indicating a "complex" target) or 1
   (indicating a "simple" target). A "simple" target consists solely of a
   :class:`Name` node that does not appear between parentheses; all other
   targets are considered complex. Only simple targets appear in
   the :attr:`~object.__annotations__` dictionary of modules and classes.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('c: int'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                AnnAssign(
                    target=Name(id='c', ctx=Store()),
                    annotation=Name(id='int', ctx=Load()),
                    simple=1)])

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('(a): int = 1'), indent=4)) # Annotation with parenthesis
        Module(
            body=[
                AnnAssign(
                    target=Name(id='a', ctx=Store()),
                    annotation=Name(id='int', ctx=Load()),
                    value=Constant(value=1),
                    simple=0)])

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('a.b: int'), indent=4)) # Attribute annotation
        Module(
            body=[
                AnnAssign(
                    target=Attribute(
                        value=Name(id='a', ctx=Load()),
                        attr='b',
                        ctx=Store()),
                    annotation=Name(id='int', ctx=Load()),
                    simple=0)])

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('a[1]: int'), indent=4)) # Subscript annotation
        Module(
            body=[
                AnnAssign(
                    target=Subscript(
                        value=Name(id='a', ctx=Load()),
                        slice=Constant(value=1),
                        ctx=Store()),
                    annotation=Name(id='int', ctx=Load()),
                    simple=0)])


.. class:: AugAssign(target, op, value)

   Augmented assignment, such as ``a += 1``. In the following example,
   ``target`` is a :class:`Name` node for ``x`` (with the :class:`Store`
   context), ``op`` is :class:`Add`, and ``value`` is a :class:`Constant` with
   value for 1.

   The ``target`` attribute cannot be of class :class:`Tuple` or :class:`List`,
   unlike the targets of :class:`Assign`.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('x += 2'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                AugAssign(
                    target=Name(id='x', ctx=Store()),
                    op=Add(),
                    value=Constant(value=2))])


.. class:: Raise(exc, cause)

   A ``raise`` statement. ``exc`` is the exception object to be raised, normally a
   :class:`Call` or :class:`Name`, or ``None`` for a standalone ``raise``.
   ``cause`` is the optional part for ``y`` in ``raise x from y``.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('raise x from y'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Raise(
                    exc=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    cause=Name(id='y', ctx=Load()))])


.. class:: Assert(test, msg)

   An assertion. ``test`` holds the condition, such as a :class:`Compare` node.
   ``msg`` holds the failure message.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('assert x,y'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Assert(
                    test=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    msg=Name(id='y', ctx=Load()))])


.. class:: Delete(targets)

   Represents a ``del`` statement. ``targets`` is a list of nodes, such as
   :class:`Name`, :class:`Attribute` or :class:`Subscript` nodes.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('del x,y,z'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Delete(
                    targets=[
                        Name(id='x', ctx=Del()),
                        Name(id='y', ctx=Del()),
                        Name(id='z', ctx=Del())])])


.. class:: Pass()

   A ``pass`` statement.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('pass'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Pass()])


.. class:: TypeAlias(name, type_params, value)

   A :ref:`type alias <type-aliases>` created through the :keyword:`type`
   statement. ``name`` is the name of the alias, ``type_params`` is a list of
   :ref:`type parameters <ast-type-params>`, and ``value`` is the value of the
   type alias.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('type Alias = int'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                TypeAlias(
                    name=Name(id='Alias', ctx=Store()),
                    value=Name(id='int', ctx=Load()))])

   .. versionadded:: 3.12

Other statements which are only applicable inside functions or loops are
described in other sections.

Imports
~~~~~~~

.. class:: Import(names)

   An import statement. ``names`` is a list of :class:`alias` nodes.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('import x,y,z'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Import(
                    names=[
                        alias(name='x'),
                        alias(name='y'),
                        alias(name='z')])])


.. class:: ImportFrom(module, names, level)

   Represents ``from x import y``. ``module`` is a raw string of the 'from' name,
   without any leading dots, or ``None`` for statements such as ``from . import foo``.
   ``level`` is an integer holding the level of the relative import (0 means
   absolute import).

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('from y import x,y,z'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                ImportFrom(
                    module='y',
                    names=[
                        alias(name='x'),
                        alias(name='y'),
                        alias(name='z')],
                    level=0)])


.. class:: alias(name, asname)

   Both parameters are raw strings of the names. ``asname`` can be ``None`` if
   the regular name is to be used.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('from ..foo.bar import a as b, c'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                ImportFrom(
                    module='foo.bar',
                    names=[
                        alias(name='a', asname='b'),
                        alias(name='c')],
                    level=2)])

Control flow
^^^^^^^^^^^^

.. note::
   Optional clauses such as ``else`` are stored as an empty list if they're
   not present.

.. class:: If(test, body, orelse)

   An ``if`` statement. ``test`` holds a single node, such as a :class:`Compare`
   node. ``body`` and ``orelse`` each hold a list of nodes.

   ``elif`` clauses don't have a special representation in the AST, but rather
   appear as extra :class:`If` nodes within the ``orelse`` section of the
   previous one.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... if x:
        ...    ...
        ... elif y:
        ...    ...
        ... else:
        ...    ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                If(
                    test=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    body=[
                        Expr(
                            value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))],
                    orelse=[
                        If(
                            test=Name(id='y', ctx=Load()),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))],
                            orelse=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])


.. class:: For(target, iter, body, orelse, type_comment)

   A ``for`` loop. ``target`` holds the variable(s) the loop assigns to, as a
   single :class:`Name`, :class:`Tuple`, :class:`List`, :class:`Attribute` or
   :class:`Subscript` node. ``iter`` holds the item to be looped over, again
   as a single node. ``body`` and ``orelse`` contain lists of nodes to execute.
   Those in ``orelse`` are executed if the loop finishes normally, rather than
   via a ``break`` statement.

   .. attribute:: type_comment

       ``type_comment`` is an optional string with the type annotation as a comment.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... for x in y:
        ...     ...
        ... else:
        ...     ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                For(
                    target=Name(id='x', ctx=Store()),
                    iter=Name(id='y', ctx=Load()),
                    body=[
                        Expr(
                            value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))],
                    orelse=[
                        Expr(
                            value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])


.. class:: While(test, body, orelse)

   A ``while`` loop. ``test`` holds the condition, such as a :class:`Compare`
   node.

   .. doctest::

        >> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... while x:
        ...    ...
        ... else:
        ...    ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                While(
                    test=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    body=[
                        Expr(
                            value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))],
                    orelse=[
                        Expr(
                            value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])


.. class:: Break
           Continue

   The ``break`` and ``continue`` statements.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""\
        ... for a in b:
        ...     if a > 5:
        ...         break
        ...     else:
        ...         continue
        ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                For(
                    target=Name(id='a', ctx=Store()),
                    iter=Name(id='b', ctx=Load()),
                    body=[
                        If(
                            test=Compare(
                                left=Name(id='a', ctx=Load()),
                                ops=[
                                    Gt()],
                                comparators=[
                                    Constant(value=5)]),
                            body=[
                                Break()],
                            orelse=[
                                Continue()])])])


.. class:: Try(body, handlers, orelse, finalbody)

   ``try`` blocks. All attributes are list of nodes to execute, except for
   ``handlers``, which is a list of :class:`ExceptHandler` nodes.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... try:
        ...    ...
        ... except Exception:
        ...    ...
        ... except OtherException as e:
        ...    ...
        ... else:
        ...    ...
        ... finally:
        ...    ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Try(
                    body=[
                        Expr(
                            value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))],
                    handlers=[
                        ExceptHandler(
                            type=Name(id='Exception', ctx=Load()),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))]),
                        ExceptHandler(
                            type=Name(id='OtherException', ctx=Load()),
                            name='e',
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])],
                    orelse=[
                        Expr(
                            value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))],
                    finalbody=[
                        Expr(
                            value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])


.. class:: TryStar(body, handlers, orelse, finalbody)

   ``try`` blocks which are followed by ``except*`` clauses. The attributes are the
   same as for :class:`Try` but the :class:`ExceptHandler` nodes in ``handlers``
   are interpreted as ``except*`` blocks rather then ``except``.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... try:
        ...    ...
        ... except* Exception:
        ...    ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                TryStar(
                    body=[
                        Expr(
                            value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))],
                    handlers=[
                        ExceptHandler(
                            type=Name(id='Exception', ctx=Load()),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])

   .. versionadded:: 3.11

.. class:: ExceptHandler(type, name, body)

   A single ``except`` clause. ``type`` is the exception type it will match,
   typically a :class:`Name` node (or ``None`` for a catch-all ``except:`` clause).
   ``name`` is a raw string for the name to hold the exception, or ``None`` if
   the clause doesn't have ``as foo``. ``body`` is a list of nodes.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""\
        ... try:
        ...     a + 1
        ... except TypeError:
        ...     pass
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Try(
                    body=[
                        Expr(
                            value=BinOp(
                                left=Name(id='a', ctx=Load()),
                                op=Add(),
                                right=Constant(value=1)))],
                    handlers=[
                        ExceptHandler(
                            type=Name(id='TypeError', ctx=Load()),
                            body=[
                                Pass()])])])


.. class:: With(items, body, type_comment)

   A ``with`` block. ``items`` is a list of :class:`withitem` nodes representing
   the context managers, and ``body`` is the indented block inside the context.

   .. attribute:: type_comment

       ``type_comment`` is an optional string with the type annotation as a comment.


.. class:: withitem(context_expr, optional_vars)

   A single context manager in a ``with`` block. ``context_expr`` is the context
   manager, often a :class:`Call` node. ``optional_vars`` is a :class:`Name`,
   :class:`Tuple` or :class:`List` for the ``as foo`` part, or ``None`` if that
   isn't used.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""\
        ... with a as b, c as d:
        ...    something(b, d)
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                With(
                    items=[
                        withitem(
                            context_expr=Name(id='a', ctx=Load()),
                            optional_vars=Name(id='b', ctx=Store())),
                        withitem(
                            context_expr=Name(id='c', ctx=Load()),
                            optional_vars=Name(id='d', ctx=Store()))],
                    body=[
                        Expr(
                            value=Call(
                                func=Name(id='something', ctx=Load()),
                                args=[
                                    Name(id='b', ctx=Load()),
                                    Name(id='d', ctx=Load())]))])])


Pattern matching
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^


.. class:: Match(subject, cases)

   A ``match`` statement. ``subject`` holds the subject of the match (the object
   that is being matched against the cases) and ``cases`` contains an iterable of
   :class:`match_case` nodes with the different cases.

   .. versionadded:: 3.10

.. class:: match_case(pattern, guard, body)

   A single case pattern in a ``match`` statement. ``pattern`` contains the
   match pattern that the subject will be matched against. Note that the
   :class:`AST` nodes produced for patterns differ from those produced for
   expressions, even when they share the same syntax.

   The ``guard`` attribute contains an expression that will be evaluated if
   the pattern matches the subject.

   ``body`` contains a list of nodes to execute if the pattern matches and
   the result of evaluating the guard expression is true.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... match x:
        ...     case [x] if x>0:
        ...         ...
        ...     case tuple():
        ...         ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Match(
                    subject=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    cases=[
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchSequence(
                                patterns=[
                                    MatchAs(name='x')]),
                            guard=Compare(
                                left=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                                ops=[
                                    Gt()],
                                comparators=[
                                    Constant(value=0)]),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))]),
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchClass(
                                cls=Name(id='tuple', ctx=Load())),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])

   .. versionadded:: 3.10

.. class:: MatchValue(value)

   A match literal or value pattern that compares by equality. ``value`` is
   an expression node. Permitted value nodes are restricted as described in
   the match statement documentation. This pattern succeeds if the match
   subject is equal to the evaluated value.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... match x:
        ...     case "Relevant":
        ...         ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Match(
                    subject=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    cases=[
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchValue(
                                value=Constant(value='Relevant')),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])

   .. versionadded:: 3.10

.. class:: MatchSingleton(value)

   A match literal pattern that compares by identity. ``value`` is the
   singleton to be compared against: ``None``, ``True``, or ``False``. This
   pattern succeeds if the match subject is the given constant.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... match x:
        ...     case None:
        ...         ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Match(
                    subject=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    cases=[
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchSingleton(value=None),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])

   .. versionadded:: 3.10

.. class:: MatchSequence(patterns)

   A match sequence pattern. ``patterns`` contains the patterns to be matched
   against the subject elements if the subject is a sequence. Matches a variable
   length sequence if one of the subpatterns is a ``MatchStar`` node, otherwise
   matches a fixed length sequence.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... match x:
        ...     case [1, 2]:
        ...         ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Match(
                    subject=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    cases=[
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchSequence(
                                patterns=[
                                    MatchValue(
                                        value=Constant(value=1)),
                                    MatchValue(
                                        value=Constant(value=2))]),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])

   .. versionadded:: 3.10

.. class:: MatchStar(name)

   Matches the rest of the sequence in a variable length match sequence pattern.
   If ``name`` is not ``None``, a list containing the remaining sequence
   elements is bound to that name if the overall sequence pattern is successful.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... match x:
        ...     case [1, 2, *rest]:
        ...         ...
        ...     case [*_]:
        ...         ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Match(
                    subject=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    cases=[
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchSequence(
                                patterns=[
                                    MatchValue(
                                        value=Constant(value=1)),
                                    MatchValue(
                                        value=Constant(value=2)),
                                    MatchStar(name='rest')]),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))]),
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchSequence(
                                patterns=[
                                    MatchStar()]),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])

   .. versionadded:: 3.10

.. class:: MatchMapping(keys, patterns, rest)

   A match mapping pattern. ``keys`` is a sequence of expression nodes.
   ``patterns`` is a corresponding sequence of pattern nodes. ``rest`` is an
   optional name that can be specified to capture the remaining mapping elements.
   Permitted key expressions are restricted as described in the match statement
   documentation.

   This pattern succeeds if the subject is a mapping, all evaluated key
   expressions are present in the mapping, and the value corresponding to each
   key matches the corresponding subpattern. If ``rest`` is not ``None``, a dict
   containing the remaining mapping elements is bound to that name if the overall
   mapping pattern is successful.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... match x:
        ...     case {1: _, 2: _}:
        ...         ...
        ...     case {**rest}:
        ...         ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Match(
                    subject=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    cases=[
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchMapping(
                                keys=[
                                    Constant(value=1),
                                    Constant(value=2)],
                                patterns=[
                                    MatchAs(),
                                    MatchAs()]),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))]),
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchMapping(rest='rest'),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])

   .. versionadded:: 3.10

.. class:: MatchClass(cls, patterns, kwd_attrs, kwd_patterns)

   A match class pattern. ``cls`` is an expression giving the nominal class to
   be matched. ``patterns`` is a sequence of pattern nodes to be matched against
   the class defined sequence of pattern matching attributes. ``kwd_attrs`` is a
   sequence of additional attributes to be matched (specified as keyword arguments
   in the class pattern), ``kwd_patterns`` are the corresponding patterns
   (specified as keyword values in the class pattern).

   This pattern succeeds if the subject is an instance of the nominated class,
   all positional patterns match the corresponding class-defined attributes, and
   any specified keyword attributes match their corresponding pattern.

   Note: classes may define a property that returns self in order to match a
   pattern node against the instance being matched. Several builtin types are
   also matched that way, as described in the match statement documentation.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... match x:
        ...     case Point2D(0, 0):
        ...         ...
        ...     case Point3D(x=0, y=0, z=0):
        ...         ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Match(
                    subject=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    cases=[
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchClass(
                                cls=Name(id='Point2D', ctx=Load()),
                                patterns=[
                                    MatchValue(
                                        value=Constant(value=0)),
                                    MatchValue(
                                        value=Constant(value=0))]),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))]),
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchClass(
                                cls=Name(id='Point3D', ctx=Load()),
                                kwd_attrs=[
                                    'x',
                                    'y',
                                    'z'],
                                kwd_patterns=[
                                    MatchValue(
                                        value=Constant(value=0)),
                                    MatchValue(
                                        value=Constant(value=0)),
                                    MatchValue(
                                        value=Constant(value=0))]),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])

   .. versionadded:: 3.10

.. class:: MatchAs(pattern, name)

   A match "as-pattern", capture pattern or wildcard pattern. ``pattern``
   contains the match pattern that the subject will be matched against.
   If the pattern is ``None``, the node represents a capture pattern (i.e a
   bare name) and will always succeed.

   The ``name`` attribute contains the name that will be bound if the pattern
   is successful. If ``name`` is ``None``, ``pattern`` must also be ``None``
   and the node represents the wildcard pattern.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... match x:
        ...     case [x] as y:
        ...         ...
        ...     case _:
        ...         ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Match(
                    subject=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    cases=[
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchAs(
                                pattern=MatchSequence(
                                    patterns=[
                                        MatchAs(name='x')]),
                                name='y'),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))]),
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchAs(),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])

   .. versionadded:: 3.10

.. class:: MatchOr(patterns)

   A match "or-pattern". An or-pattern matches each of its subpatterns in turn
   to the subject, until one succeeds. The or-pattern is then deemed to
   succeed. If none of the subpatterns succeed the or-pattern fails. The
   ``patterns`` attribute contains a list of match pattern nodes that will be
   matched against the subject.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""
        ... match x:
        ...     case [x] | (y):
        ...         ...
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Match(
                    subject=Name(id='x', ctx=Load()),
                    cases=[
                        match_case(
                            pattern=MatchOr(
                                patterns=[
                                    MatchSequence(
                                        patterns=[
                                            MatchAs(name='x')]),
                                    MatchAs(name='y')]),
                            body=[
                                Expr(
                                    value=Constant(value=Ellipsis))])])])

   .. versionadded:: 3.10

.. _ast-type-params:

Type parameters
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

:ref:`Type parameters <type-params>` can exist on classes, functions, and type
aliases.

.. class:: TypeVar(name, bound, default_value)

   A :class:`typing.TypeVar`. ``name`` is the name of the type variable.
   ``bound`` is the bound or constraints, if any. If ``bound`` is a :class:`Tuple`,
   it represents constraints; otherwise it represents the bound. ``default_value``
   is the default value; if the :class:`!TypeVar` has no default, this
   attribute will be set to ``None``.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("type Alias[T: int = bool] = list[T]"), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                TypeAlias(
                    name=Name(id='Alias', ctx=Store()),
                    type_params=[
                        TypeVar(
                            name='T',
                            bound=Name(id='int', ctx=Load()),
                            default_value=Name(id='bool', ctx=Load()))],
                    value=Subscript(
                        value=Name(id='list', ctx=Load()),
                        slice=Name(id='T', ctx=Load()),
                        ctx=Load()))])

   .. versionadded:: 3.12

   .. versionchanged:: 3.13
      Added the *default_value* parameter.

.. class:: ParamSpec(name, default_value)

   A :class:`typing.ParamSpec`. ``name`` is the name of the parameter specification.
   ``default_value`` is the default value; if the :class:`!ParamSpec` has no default,
   this attribute will be set to ``None``.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("type Alias[**P = (int, str)] = Callable[P, int]"), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                TypeAlias(
                    name=Name(id='Alias', ctx=Store()),
                    type_params=[
                        ParamSpec(
                            name='P',
                            default_value=Tuple(
                                elts=[
                                    Name(id='int', ctx=Load()),
                                    Name(id='str', ctx=Load())],
                                ctx=Load()))],
                    value=Subscript(
                        value=Name(id='Callable', ctx=Load()),
                        slice=Tuple(
                            elts=[
                                Name(id='P', ctx=Load()),
                                Name(id='int', ctx=Load())],
                            ctx=Load()),
                        ctx=Load()))])

   .. versionadded:: 3.12

   .. versionchanged:: 3.13
      Added the *default_value* parameter.

.. class:: TypeVarTuple(name, default_value)

   A :class:`typing.TypeVarTuple`. ``name`` is the name of the type variable tuple.
   ``default_value`` is the default value; if the :class:`!TypeVarTuple` has no
   default, this attribute will be set to ``None``.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("type Alias[*Ts = ()] = tuple[*Ts]"), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                TypeAlias(
                    name=Name(id='Alias', ctx=Store()),
                    type_params=[
                        TypeVarTuple(
                            name='Ts',
                            default_value=Tuple(ctx=Load()))],
                    value=Subscript(
                        value=Name(id='tuple', ctx=Load()),
                        slice=Tuple(
                            elts=[
                                Starred(
                                    value=Name(id='Ts', ctx=Load()),
                                    ctx=Load())],
                            ctx=Load()),
                        ctx=Load()))])

   .. versionadded:: 3.12

   .. versionchanged:: 3.13
      Added the *default_value* parameter.

Function and class definitions
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

.. class:: FunctionDef(name, args, body, decorator_list, returns, type_comment, type_params)

   A function definition.

   * ``name`` is a raw string of the function name.
   * ``args`` is an :class:`arguments` node.
   * ``body`` is the list of nodes inside the function.
   * ``decorator_list`` is the list of decorators to be applied, stored outermost
     first (i.e. the first in the list will be applied last).
   * ``returns`` is the return annotation.
   * ``type_params`` is a list of :ref:`type parameters <ast-type-params>`.

   .. attribute:: type_comment

       ``type_comment`` is an optional string with the type annotation as a comment.

   .. versionchanged:: 3.12
        Added ``type_params``.


.. class:: Lambda(args, body)

   ``lambda`` is a minimal function definition that can be used inside an
   expression. Unlike :class:`FunctionDef`, ``body`` holds a single node.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('lambda x,y: ...'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Expr(
                    value=Lambda(
                        args=arguments(
                            args=[
                                arg(arg='x'),
                                arg(arg='y')]),
                        body=Constant(value=Ellipsis)))])


.. class:: arguments(posonlyargs, args, vararg, kwonlyargs, kw_defaults, kwarg, defaults)

   The arguments for a function.

   * ``posonlyargs``, ``args`` and ``kwonlyargs`` are lists of :class:`arg` nodes.
   * ``vararg`` and ``kwarg`` are single :class:`arg` nodes, referring to the
     ``*args, **kwargs`` parameters.
   * ``kw_defaults`` is a list of default values for keyword-only arguments. If
     one is ``None``, the corresponding argument is required.
   * ``defaults`` is a list of default values for arguments that can be passed
     positionally. If there are fewer defaults, they correspond to the last n
     arguments.


.. class:: arg(arg, annotation, type_comment)

   A single argument in a list. ``arg`` is a raw string of the argument
   name; ``annotation`` is its annotation, such as a :class:`Name` node.

   .. attribute:: type_comment

       ``type_comment`` is an optional string with the type annotation as a comment

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""\
        ... @decorator1
        ... @decorator2
        ... def f(a: 'annotation', b=1, c=2, *d, e, f=3, **g) -> 'return annotation':
        ...     pass
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                FunctionDef(
                    name='f',
                    args=arguments(
                        args=[
                            arg(
                                arg='a',
                                annotation=Constant(value='annotation')),
                            arg(arg='b'),
                            arg(arg='c')],
                        vararg=arg(arg='d'),
                        kwonlyargs=[
                            arg(arg='e'),
                            arg(arg='f')],
                        kw_defaults=[
                            None,
                            Constant(value=3)],
                        kwarg=arg(arg='g'),
                        defaults=[
                            Constant(value=1),
                            Constant(value=2)]),
                    body=[
                        Pass()],
                    decorator_list=[
                        Name(id='decorator1', ctx=Load()),
                        Name(id='decorator2', ctx=Load())],
                    returns=Constant(value='return annotation'))])


.. class:: Return(value)

   A ``return`` statement.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('return 4'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Return(
                    value=Constant(value=4))])


.. class:: Yield(value)
           YieldFrom(value)

   A ``yield`` or ``yield from`` expression. Because these are expressions, they
   must be wrapped in an :class:`Expr` node if the value sent back is not used.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('yield x'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Expr(
                    value=Yield(
                        value=Name(id='x', ctx=Load())))])

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('yield from x'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Expr(
                    value=YieldFrom(
                        value=Name(id='x', ctx=Load())))])


.. class:: Global(names)
           Nonlocal(names)

   ``global`` and ``nonlocal`` statements. ``names`` is a list of raw strings.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('global x,y,z'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Global(
                    names=[
                        'x',
                        'y',
                        'z'])])

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse('nonlocal x,y,z'), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                Nonlocal(
                    names=[
                        'x',
                        'y',
                        'z'])])


.. class:: ClassDef(name, bases, keywords, body, decorator_list, type_params)

   A class definition.

   * ``name`` is a raw string for the class name
   * ``bases`` is a list of nodes for explicitly specified base classes.
   * ``keywords`` is a list of :class:`.keyword` nodes, principally for 'metaclass'.
     Other keywords will be passed to the metaclass, as per :pep:`3115`.
   * ``body`` is a list of nodes representing the code within the class
     definition.
   * ``decorator_list`` is a list of nodes, as in :class:`FunctionDef`.
   * ``type_params`` is a list of :ref:`type parameters <ast-type-params>`.

   .. doctest::

        >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""\
        ... @decorator1
        ... @decorator2
        ... class Foo(base1, base2, metaclass=meta):
        ...     pass
        ... """), indent=4))
        Module(
            body=[
                ClassDef(
                    name='Foo',
                    bases=[
                        Name(id='base1', ctx=Load()),
                        Name(id='base2', ctx=Load())],
                    keywords=[
                        keyword(
                            arg='metaclass',
                            value=Name(id='meta', ctx=Load()))],
                    body=[
                        Pass()],
                    decorator_list=[
                        Name(id='decorator1', ctx=Load()),
                        Name(id='decorator2', ctx=Load())])])

   .. versionchanged:: 3.12
        Added ``type_params``.

Async and await
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

.. class:: AsyncFunctionDef(name, args, body, decorator_list, returns, type_comment, type_params)

   An ``async def`` function definition. Has the same fields as
   :class:`FunctionDef`.

   .. versionchanged:: 3.12
        Added ``type_params``.


.. class:: Await(value)

   An ``await`` expression. ``value`` is what it waits for.
   Only valid in the body of an :class:`AsyncFunctionDef`.

.. doctest::

    >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""\
    ... async def f():
    ...     await other_func()
    ... """), indent=4))
    Module(
        body=[
            AsyncFunctionDef(
                name='f',
                args=arguments(),
                body=[
                    Expr(
                        value=Await(
                            value=Call(
                                func=Name(id='other_func', ctx=Load()))))])])


.. class:: AsyncFor(target, iter, body, orelse, type_comment)
           AsyncWith(items, body, type_comment)

   ``async for`` loops and ``async with`` context managers. They have the same
   fields as :class:`For` and :class:`With`, respectively. Only valid in the
   body of an :class:`AsyncFunctionDef`.

.. note::
   When a string is parsed by :func:`ast.parse`, operator nodes (subclasses
   of :class:`ast.operator`, :class:`ast.unaryop`, :class:`ast.cmpop`,
   :class:`ast.boolop` and :class:`ast.expr_context`) on the returned tree
   will be singletons. Changes to one will be reflected in all other
   occurrences of the same value (e.g. :class:`ast.Add`).


:mod:`ast` Helpers
------------------

Apart from the node classes, the :mod:`ast` module defines these utility functions
and classes for traversing abstract syntax trees:

.. function:: parse(source, filename='<unknown>', mode='exec', *, type_comments=False, feature_version=None, optimize=-1)

   Parse the source into an AST node.  Equivalent to ``compile(source,
   filename, mode, flags=FLAGS_VALUE, optimize=optimize)``,
   where ``FLAGS_VALUE`` is ``ast.PyCF_ONLY_AST`` if ``optimize <= 0``
   and ``ast.PyCF_OPTIMIZED_AST`` otherwise.

   If ``type_comments=True`` is given, the parser is modified to check
   and return type comments as specified by :pep:`484` and :pep:`526`.
   This is equivalent to adding :data:`ast.PyCF_TYPE_COMMENTS` to the
   flags passed to :func:`compile`.  This will report syntax errors
   for misplaced type comments.  Without this flag, type comments will
   be ignored, and the ``type_comment`` field on selected AST nodes
   will always be ``None``.  In addition, the locations of ``# type:
   ignore`` comments will be returned as the ``type_ignores``
   attribute of :class:`Module` (otherwise it is always an empty list).

   In addition, if ``mode`` is ``'func_type'``, the input syntax is
   modified to correspond to :pep:`484` "signature type comments",
   e.g. ``(str, int) -> List[str]``.

   Setting ``feature_version`` to a tuple ``(major, minor)`` will result in
   a "best-effort" attempt to parse using that Python version's grammar.
   For example, setting ``feature_version=(3, 9)`` will attempt to disallow
   parsing of :keyword:`match` statements.
   Currently ``major`` must equal to ``3``. The lowest supported version is
   ``(3, 7)`` (and this may increase in future Python versions);
   the highest is ``sys.version_info[0:2]``. "Best-effort" attempt means there
   is no guarantee that the parse (or success of the parse) is the same as
   when run on the Python version corresponding to ``feature_version``.

   If source contains a null character (``\0``), :exc:`ValueError` is raised.

   .. warning::
      Note that successfully parsing source code into an AST object doesn't
      guarantee that the source code provided is valid Python code that can
      be executed as the compilation step can raise further :exc:`SyntaxError`
      exceptions. For instance, the source ``return 42`` generates a valid
      AST node for a return statement, but it cannot be compiled alone (it needs
      to be inside a function node).

      In particular, :func:`ast.parse` won't do any scoping checks, which the
      compilation step does.

   .. warning::
      It is possible to crash the Python interpreter with a
      sufficiently large/complex string due to stack depth limitations
      in Python's AST compiler.

   .. versionchanged:: 3.8
      Added ``type_comments``, ``mode='func_type'`` and ``feature_version``.

   .. versionchanged:: 3.13
      The minimum supported version for ``feature_version`` is now ``(3, 7)``.
      The ``optimize`` argument was added.


.. function:: unparse(ast_obj)

   Unparse an :class:`ast.AST` object and generate a string with code
   that would produce an equivalent :class:`ast.AST` object if parsed
   back with :func:`ast.parse`.

   .. warning::
      The produced code string will not necessarily be equal to the original
      code that generated the :class:`ast.AST` object (without any compiler
      optimizations, such as constant tuples/frozensets).

   .. warning::
      Trying to unparse a highly complex expression would result with
      :exc:`RecursionError`.

   .. versionadded:: 3.9


.. function:: literal_eval(node_or_string)

   Evaluate an expression node or a string containing only a Python literal or
   container display.  The string or node provided may only consist of the
   following Python literal structures: strings, bytes, numbers, tuples, lists,
   dicts, sets, booleans, ``None`` and ``Ellipsis``.

   This can be used for evaluating strings containing Python values without the
   need to parse the values oneself.  It is not capable of evaluating
   arbitrarily complex expressions, for example involving operators or
   indexing.

   This function had been documented as "safe" in the past without defining
   what that meant. That was misleading. This is specifically designed not to
   execute Python code, unlike the more general :func:`eval`. There is no
   namespace, no name lookups, or ability to call out. But it is not free from
   attack: A relatively small input can lead to memory exhaustion or to C stack
   exhaustion, crashing the process. There is also the possibility for
   excessive CPU consumption denial of service on some inputs. Calling it on
   untrusted data is thus not recommended.

   .. warning::
      It is possible to crash the Python interpreter due to stack depth
      limitations in Python's AST compiler.

      It can raise :exc:`ValueError`, :exc:`TypeError`, :exc:`SyntaxError`,
      :exc:`MemoryError` and :exc:`RecursionError` depending on the malformed
      input.

   .. versionchanged:: 3.2
      Now allows bytes and set literals.

   .. versionchanged:: 3.9
      Now supports creating empty sets with ``'set()'``.

   .. versionchanged:: 3.10
      For string inputs, leading spaces and tabs are now stripped.


.. function:: get_docstring(node, clean=True)

   Return the docstring of the given *node* (which must be a
   :class:`FunctionDef`, :class:`AsyncFunctionDef`, :class:`ClassDef`,
   or :class:`Module` node), or ``None`` if it has no docstring.
   If *clean* is true, clean up the docstring's indentation with
   :func:`inspect.cleandoc`.

   .. versionchanged:: 3.5
      :class:`AsyncFunctionDef` is now supported.


.. function:: get_source_segment(source, node, *, padded=False)

   Get source code segment of the *source* that generated *node*.
   If some location information (:attr:`~ast.AST.lineno`, :attr:`~ast.AST.end_lineno`,
   :attr:`~ast.AST.col_offset`, or :attr:`~ast.AST.end_col_offset`) is missing, return ``None``.

   If *padded* is ``True``, the first line of a multi-line statement will
   be padded with spaces to match its original position.

   .. versionadded:: 3.8


.. function:: fix_missing_locations(node)

   When you compile a node tree with :func:`compile`, the compiler expects
   :attr:`~ast.AST.lineno` and :attr:`~ast.AST.col_offset` attributes for every node that supports
   them.  This is rather tedious to fill in for generated nodes, so this helper
   adds these attributes recursively where not already set, by setting them to
   the values of the parent node.  It works recursively starting at *node*.


.. function:: increment_lineno(node, n=1)

   Increment the line number and end line number of each node in the tree
   starting at *node* by *n*. This is useful to "move code" to a different
   location in a file.


.. function:: copy_location(new_node, old_node)

   Copy source location (:attr:`~ast.AST.lineno`, :attr:`~ast.AST.col_offset`, :attr:`~ast.AST.end_lineno`,
   and :attr:`~ast.AST.end_col_offset`) from *old_node* to *new_node* if possible,
   and return *new_node*.


.. function:: iter_fields(node)

   Yield a tuple of ``(fieldname, value)`` for each field in ``node._fields``
   that is present on *node*.


.. function:: iter_child_nodes(node)

   Yield all direct child nodes of *node*, that is, all fields that are nodes
   and all items of fields that are lists of nodes.


.. function:: walk(node)

   Recursively yield all descendant nodes in the tree starting at *node*
   (including *node* itself), in no specified order.  This is useful if you only
   want to modify nodes in place and don't care about the context.


.. class:: NodeVisitor()

   A node visitor base class that walks the abstract syntax tree and calls a
   visitor function for every node found.  This function may return a value
   which is forwarded by the :meth:`visit` method.

   This class is meant to be subclassed, with the subclass adding visitor
   methods.

   .. method:: visit(node)

      Visit a node.  The default implementation calls the method called
      :samp:`self.visit_{classname}` where *classname* is the name of the node
      class, or :meth:`generic_visit` if that method doesn't exist.

   .. method:: generic_visit(node)

      This visitor calls :meth:`visit` on all children of the node.

      Note that child nodes of nodes that have a custom visitor method won't be
      visited unless the visitor calls :meth:`generic_visit` or visits them
      itself.

   .. method:: visit_Constant(node)

      Handles all constant nodes.

   Don't use the :class:`NodeVisitor` if you want to apply changes to nodes
   during traversal.  For this a special visitor exists
   (:class:`NodeTransformer`) that allows modifications.

   .. deprecated:: 3.8

      Methods :meth:`!visit_Num`, :meth:`!visit_Str`, :meth:`!visit_Bytes`,
      :meth:`!visit_NameConstant` and :meth:`!visit_Ellipsis` are deprecated
      now and will not be called in future Python versions.  Add the
      :meth:`visit_Constant` method to handle all constant nodes.


.. class:: NodeTransformer()

   A :class:`NodeVisitor` subclass that walks the abstract syntax tree and
   allows modification of nodes.

   The :class:`NodeTransformer` will walk the AST and use the return value of
   the visitor methods to replace or remove the old node.  If the return value
   of the visitor method is ``None``, the node will be removed from its
   location, otherwise it is replaced with the return value.  The return value
   may be the original node in which case no replacement takes place.

   Here is an example transformer that rewrites all occurrences of name lookups
   (``foo``) to ``data['foo']``::

      class RewriteName(NodeTransformer):

          def visit_Name(self, node):
              return Subscript(
                  value=Name(id='data', ctx=Load()),
                  slice=Constant(value=node.id),
                  ctx=node.ctx
              )

   Keep in mind that if the node you're operating on has child nodes you must
   either transform the child nodes yourself or call the :meth:`~ast.NodeVisitor.generic_visit`
   method for the node first.

   For nodes that were part of a collection of statements (that applies to all
   statement nodes), the visitor may also return a list of nodes rather than
   just a single node.

   If :class:`NodeTransformer` introduces new nodes (that weren't part of
   original tree) without giving them location information (such as
   :attr:`~ast.AST.lineno`), :func:`fix_missing_locations` should be called with
   the new sub-tree to recalculate the location information::

      tree = ast.parse('foo', mode='eval')
      new_tree = fix_missing_locations(RewriteName().visit(tree))

   Usually you use the transformer like this::

      node = YourTransformer().visit(node)


.. function:: dump(node, annotate_fields=True, include_attributes=False, *, indent=None, show_empty=False)

   Return a formatted dump of the tree in *node*.  This is mainly useful for
   debugging purposes.  If *annotate_fields* is true (by default),
   the returned string will show the names and the values for fields.
   If *annotate_fields* is false, the result string will be more compact by
   omitting unambiguous field names.  Attributes such as line
   numbers and column offsets are not dumped by default.  If this is wanted,
   *include_attributes* can be set to true.

   If *indent* is a non-negative integer or string, then the tree will be
   pretty-printed with that indent level.  An indent level
   of 0, negative, or ``""`` will only insert newlines.  ``None`` (the default)
   selects the single line representation. Using a positive integer indent
   indents that many spaces per level.  If *indent* is a string (such as ``"\t"``),
   that string is used to indent each level.

   If *show_empty* is ``False`` (the default), empty lists and fields that are ``None``
   will be omitted from the output.

   .. versionchanged:: 3.9
      Added the *indent* option.

   .. versionchanged:: 3.13
      Added the *show_empty* option.

      .. doctest::

         >>> print(ast.dump(ast.parse("""\
         ... async def f():
         ...     await other_func()
         ... """), indent=4, show_empty=True))
         Module(
             body=[
                 AsyncFunctionDef(
                     name='f',
                     args=arguments(
                         posonlyargs=[],
                         args=[],
                         kwonlyargs=[],
                         kw_defaults=[],
                         defaults=[]),
                     body=[
                         Expr(
                             value=Await(
                                 value=Call(
                                     func=Name(id='other_func', ctx=Load()),
                                     args=[],
                                     keywords=[])))],
                     decorator_list=[],
                     type_params=[])],
             type_ignores=[])


.. _ast-compiler-flags:

Compiler Flags
--------------

The following flags may be passed to :func:`compile` in order to change
effects on the compilation of a program:

.. data:: PyCF_ALLOW_TOP_LEVEL_AWAIT

   Enables support for top-level ``await``, ``async for``, ``async with``
   and async comprehensions.

   .. versionadded:: 3.8

.. data:: PyCF_ONLY_AST

   Generates and returns an abstract syntax tree instead of returning a
   compiled code object.

.. data:: PyCF_OPTIMIZED_AST

   The returned AST is optimized according to the *optimize* argument
   in :func:`compile` or :func:`ast.parse`.

   .. versionadded:: 3.13

.. data:: PyCF_TYPE_COMMENTS

   Enables support for :pep:`484` and :pep:`526` style type comments
   (``# type: <type>``, ``# type: ignore <stuff>``).

   .. versionadded:: 3.8


.. _ast-cli:

Command-Line Usage
------------------

.. versionadded:: 3.9

The :mod:`ast` module can be executed as a script from the command line.
It is as simple as:

.. code-block:: sh

   python -m ast [-m <mode>] [-a] [infile]

The following options are accepted:

.. program:: ast

.. option:: -h, --help

   Show the help message and exit.

.. option:: -m <mode>
            --mode <mode>

   Specify what kind of code must be compiled, like the *mode* argument
   in :func:`parse`.

.. option:: --no-type-comments

   Don't parse type comments.

.. option:: -a, --include-attributes

   Include attributes such as line numbers and column offsets.

.. option:: -i <indent>
            --indent <indent>

   Indentation of nodes in AST (number of spaces).

If :file:`infile` is specified its contents are parsed to AST and dumped
to stdout.  Otherwise, the content is read from stdin.


.. seealso::

    `Green Tree Snakes <https://greentreesnakes.readthedocs.io/>`_, an external
    documentation resource, has good details on working with Python ASTs.

    `ASTTokens <https://asttokens.readthedocs.io/en/latest/user-guide.html>`_
    annotates Python ASTs with the positions of tokens and text in the source
    code that generated them. This is helpful for tools that make source code
    transformations.

    `leoAst.py <https://leo-editor.github.io/leo-editor/appendices.html#leoast-py>`_
    unifies the
    token-based and parse-tree-based views of python programs by inserting
    two-way links between tokens and ast nodes.

    `LibCST <https://libcst.readthedocs.io/>`_ parses code as a Concrete Syntax
    Tree that looks like an ast tree and keeps all formatting details. It's
    useful for building automated refactoring (codemod) applications and
    linters.

    `Parso <https://parso.readthedocs.io>`_ is a Python parser that supports
    error recovery and round-trip parsing for different Python versions (in
    multiple Python versions). Parso is also able to list multiple syntax errors
    in your Python file.