Python function not accessing class variable -

i trying access class variable in outside function, attributeerror, "class has no attribute" codes looks this:

class example():      def __init__():           self.somevariable = raw_input("input something: ")  def notaclass():     print example.somevariable  attributeerror: class example has no attribute 'somevariable' 

other questions have been asked similar answers said use self , define during init, did. why can't access variable.

if want create class variable, must declare outside class methods (but still inside class definition):

class example(object):       somevariable = 'class variable' 

with can access class variable.

>> example.somevariable 'class variable' 

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the reason why example isn't working because assigning value instance variable.

the difference between 2 class variable created class object created. whereas instance variable created once object has been instantiated , after have been assigned to.

class example(object):       def dosomething(self):           self.othervariable = 'instance variable'  >> foo = example() 

here created instance of example, if try access othervariable error:

>> foo.othervariable attributeerror: 'example' object has no attribute 'othervariable' 

since othervariable assigned inside dosomething - , haven't called ityet -, not exist.

>> foo.dosomething() >> foo.othervariable 'instance variable' 

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__init__ special method automatically gets invoked whenever class instantiation happens.

class example(object):        def __init__(self):           self.othervariable = 'instance variable'  >> foo = example() >> foo.othervariable 'instance variable'