# Source: https://docs.datadoghq.com/security/code_security/static_analysis/static_analysis_rules/python-best-practices/init-call-parent.md

---
title: use super() to call the parent constructor
description: Datadog, the leading service for cloud-scale monitoring.
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  Docs > Datadog Security > Code Security > Static Code Analysis (SAST) > SAST
  Rules > use super() to call the parent constructor
---

# use super() to call the parent constructor

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## Metadata{% #metadata %}

**ID:** `python-best-practices/init-call-parent`

**Language:** Python

**Severity:** Warning

**Category:** Best Practices

## Description{% #description %}

Calling the parent constructor should be done by calling `super()`, not by calling the parent object directly.

## Non-Compliant Code Examples{% #non-compliant-code-examples %}

```python
class Class(Parent):
    def __init__(self):
        SomeClass.__init__(self)  # should use super()
```

## Compliant Code Examples{% #compliant-code-examples %}

```python
# More than one parent, we need to know exactly what
# parent constructor to use
class DummyCIVisibilityWriter(DummyWriterMixin, CIVisibilityWriter):
    def __init__(self, *args, **kwargs):
        CIVisibilityWriter.__init__(self, *args, **kwargs)
        DummyWriterMixin.__init__(self, *args, **kwargs)
        self._encoded = None
```

```python
class Class(Parent):
    def foo(self):
        SomeClass.__init__(self)  # outside of __init__, valid
```

```python
class Class(Parent):
    def __init__(self):
        super().__init__(self)
```
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