Class property using Python C-API

Similar to these Python solutions, you will have to create a classproperty type in C and implement its tp_descr_get function (which corresponds to __get__ in Python).

Then, if you want to use that in a C type, you would have to create an instance of your classproperty type and insert it into dictionary of your type (tp_dict slot of your type).

Follow up:

It would seem that it's impossible to set an attribute of a C type. The tp_setattro function of the metaclass (PyType_Type) raises a "can't set attributes of built-in/extension type" exception for all non-heap types (types with no Py_TPFLAGS_HEAPTYPE flag). This flag is set for dynamic types. You could make your type dynamic but it might be more work then it's worth.

This means that the solution I gave initially allows you to create a property (as in: computed attribute) on a C type object with the limitation that it's read only. For setting you could use a class/static-method (METH_CLASS/METH_STATIC flag on a method in tp_methods).


I'll try to convey the essence of what I've discovered about using class static properties.

My (edited) code is as follows:

// Prepare your type object, which you will no doubt complete 
// by calling PyType_Ready, as here.
if (PyType_Ready(typeObj) < 0)
{
  return;
}

Py_INCREF(typeObj);
PyModule_AddObject(module, typeName, (PyObject*) typeObj);

// Now we add static members directly to the type's tp_dict, but 
// only *after* we've registered the type (above)
PyObject* dict = typeObj->tp_dict;

// You'll have your own wrapper / C values in the line below. This is just
// a pseudo-version of what I am (successfully) using.
PyObject* tmp = MyCreateWrapper(myStaticValueInC);

// Py_INCREF(tmp); // You may need this, depending on how line above works.

PyDict_SetItemString(dict, staticPropertyName, tmp);

Py_DECREF(tmp);

I believe all the essentials are here in terms of what order to construct your code in order to implement a class property.