# metaclass-boilerplate

Most Python files should include the following boilerplate at the top of the file, right after the comment header and `from __future__ import`:

    __metaclass__ = type

Python 2 has “new-style classes” and “old-style classes” whereas Python 3 only has new-style classes. Adding the `__metaclass__ = type` boilerplate makes every class defined in that file into a new-style class as well.

    from __future__ import absolute_import, division, print_function
    __metaclass__ = type

    class Foo:
        # This is a new-style class even on Python 2 because of the __metaclass__
        pass