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`ast.class._field_types` causes Exception when `ast.class._fields` does not cause Exception #135797

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ast.class._field_types causes Exception when ast.class._fields does not cause Exception#135797

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interpreter-core(Objects, Python, Grammar, and Parser dirs)(Objects, Python, Grammar, and Parser dirs)triagedThe issue has been accepted as valid by a triager.The issue has been accepted as valid by a triager.type-bugAn unexpected behavior, bug, or errorAn unexpected behavior, bug, or errortype-featureA feature request or enhancementA feature request or enhancement

Description

hunterhogan

opened

on Jun 21, 2025

Issue body actions

Bug report

Bug description:

`_field` and `_field_types` behave differently

Accessing the _field_types attribute of an ast.AST subclass will cause an exception if the class has no _fields, but accessing the _fields attribute never causes an exception.

Example: `ast.mod`

(.venv) C:\clones\cpython>py
Python 3.13.5 (tags/v3.13.5:6cb20a2, Jun 11 2025, 16:15:46) [MSC v.1943 64 bit (AMD64)] on win32
Type "help", "copyright", "credits" or "license" for more information.
>>> import ast
>>> ast.mod._fields
()
>>> ast.mod._field_types
Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<python-input-2>", line 1, in <module>
    ast.mod._field_types
AttributeError: type object 'mod' has no attribute '_field_types'
>>>

`_field` and `_field_types` for all `ast.AST` subclasses

Details

(.venv) C:\clones\cpython>C:\clones\cpython\.venv\Scripts\python.exe c:/clones/cpython/field_types.py
3.13.5 (tags/v3.13.5:6cb20a2, Jun 11 2025, 16:15:46) [MSC v.1943 64 bit (AMD64)]

astClass._fields
AST ()
mod ()
stmt ()
expr ()
expr_context ()
boolop ()
operator ()
unaryop ()
cmpop ()
comprehension ('target', 'iter', 'ifs', 'is_async')
excepthandler ()
arguments ('posonlyargs', 'args', 'vararg', 'kwonlyargs', 'kw_defaults', 'kwarg', 'defaults')
arg ('arg', 'annotation', 'type_comment')
keyword ('arg', 'value')
alias ('name', 'asname')
withitem ('context_expr', 'optional_vars')
match_case ('pattern', 'guard', 'body')
pattern ()
type_ignore ()
type_param ()
slice ()
Num ('n',)
Str ('s',)
Bytes ('s',)
NameConstant ('value', 'kind')
Ellipsis ()
Module ('body', 'type_ignores')
Interactive ('body',)
Expression ('body',)
FunctionType ('argtypes', 'returns')
Suite ()
FunctionDef ('name', 'args', 'body', 'decorator_list', 'returns', 'type_comment', 'type_params')
AsyncFunctionDef ('name', 'args', 'body', 'decorator_list', 'returns', 'type_comment', 'type_params')
ClassDef ('name', 'bases', 'keywords', 'body', 'decorator_list', 'type_params')
Return ('value',)
Delete ('targets',)
Assign ('targets', 'value', 'type_comment')
TypeAlias ('name', 'type_params', 'value')
AugAssign ('target', 'op', 'value')
AnnAssign ('target', 'annotation', 'value', 'simple')
For ('target', 'iter', 'body', 'orelse', 'type_comment')
AsyncFor ('target', 'iter', 'body', 'orelse', 'type_comment')
While ('test', 'body', 'orelse')
If ('test', 'body', 'orelse')
With ('items', 'body', 'type_comment')
AsyncWith ('items', 'body', 'type_comment')
Match ('subject', 'cases')
Raise ('exc', 'cause')
Try ('body', 'handlers', 'orelse', 'finalbody')
TryStar ('body', 'handlers', 'orelse', 'finalbody')
Assert ('test', 'msg')
Import ('names',)
ImportFrom ('module', 'names', 'level')
Global ('names',)
Nonlocal ('names',)
Expr ('value',)
Pass ()
Break ()
Continue ()
BoolOp ('op', 'values')
NamedExpr ('target', 'value')
BinOp ('left', 'op', 'right')
UnaryOp ('op', 'operand')
Lambda ('args', 'body')
IfExp ('test', 'body', 'orelse')
Dict ('keys', 'values')
Set ('elts',)
ListComp ('elt', 'generators')
SetComp ('elt', 'generators')
DictComp ('key', 'value', 'generators')
GeneratorExp ('elt', 'generators')
Await ('value',)
Yield ('value',)
YieldFrom ('value',)
Compare ('left', 'ops', 'comparators')
Call ('func', 'args', 'keywords')
FormattedValue ('value', 'conversion', 'format_spec')
JoinedStr ('values',)
Constant ('value', 'kind')
Attribute ('value', 'attr', 'ctx')
Subscript ('value', 'slice', 'ctx')
Starred ('value', 'ctx')
Name ('id', 'ctx')
List ('elts', 'ctx')
Tuple ('elts', 'ctx')
Slice ('lower', 'upper', 'step')
Load ()
Store ()
Del ()
AugLoad ()
AugStore ()
Param ()
And ()
Or ()
Add ()
Sub ()
Mult ()
MatMult ()
Div ()
Mod ()
Pow ()
LShift ()
RShift ()
BitOr ()
BitXor ()
BitAnd ()
FloorDiv ()
Invert ()
Not ()
UAdd ()
USub ()
Eq ()
NotEq ()
Lt ()
LtE ()
Gt ()
GtE ()
Is ()
IsNot ()
In ()
NotIn ()
ExceptHandler ('type', 'name', 'body')
MatchValue ('value',)
MatchSingleton ('value',)
MatchSequence ('patterns',)
MatchMapping ('keys', 'patterns', 'rest')
MatchClass ('cls', 'patterns', 'kwd_attrs', 'kwd_patterns')
MatchStar ('name',)
MatchAs ('pattern', 'name')
MatchOr ('patterns',)
TypeIgnore ('lineno', 'tag')
TypeVar ('name', 'bound', 'default_value')
ParamSpec ('name', 'default_value')
TypeVarTuple ('name', 'default_value')
Index ()
ExtSlice ()
countExceptions = 0

astClass._field_types
AttributeError: AST
AttributeError: mod
AttributeError: stmt
AttributeError: expr
AttributeError: expr_context
AttributeError: boolop
AttributeError: operator
AttributeError: unaryop
AttributeError: cmpop
comprehension {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'iter': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'ifs': list[ast.expr], 'is_async': <class 'int'>}
AttributeError: excepthandler
arguments {'posonlyargs': list[ast.arg], 'args': list[ast.arg], 'vararg': ast.arg | None, 'kwonlyargs': list[ast.arg], 'kw_defaults': list[ast.expr], 'kwarg': ast.arg | None, 'defaults': list[ast.expr]}
arg {'arg': <class 'str'>, 'annotation': ast.expr | None, 'type_comment': str | None}
keyword {'arg': str | None, 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
alias {'name': <class 'str'>, 'asname': str | None}
withitem {'context_expr': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'optional_vars': ast.expr | None}
match_case {'pattern': <class 'ast.pattern'>, 'guard': ast.expr | None, 'body': list[ast.stmt]}
AttributeError: pattern
AttributeError: type_ignore
AttributeError: type_param
AttributeError: slice
Num {'value': <class 'object'>, 'kind': str | None}
Str {'value': <class 'object'>, 'kind': str | None}
Bytes {'value': <class 'object'>, 'kind': str | None}
NameConstant {'value': <class 'object'>, 'kind': str | None}
Ellipsis {'value': <class 'object'>, 'kind': str | None}
Module {'body': list[ast.stmt], 'type_ignores': list[ast.type_ignore]}
Interactive {'body': list[ast.stmt]}
Expression {'body': <class 'ast.expr'>}
FunctionType {'argtypes': list[ast.expr], 'returns': <class 'ast.expr'>}
AttributeError: Suite
FunctionDef {'name': <class 'str'>, 'args': <class 'ast.arguments'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'decorator_list': list[ast.expr], 'returns': ast.expr | None, 'type_comment': str | None, 'type_params': list[ast.type_param]}
AsyncFunctionDef {'name': <class 'str'>, 'args': <class 'ast.arguments'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'decorator_list': list[ast.expr], 'returns': ast.expr | None, 'type_comment': str | None, 'type_params': list[ast.type_param]}
ClassDef {'name': <class 'str'>, 'bases': list[ast.expr], 'keywords': list[ast.keyword], 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'decorator_list': list[ast.expr], 'type_params': list[ast.type_param]}
Return {'value': ast.expr | None}
Delete {'targets': list[ast.expr]}
Assign {'targets': list[ast.expr], 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'type_comment': str | None}
TypeAlias {'name': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'type_params': list[ast.type_param], 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
AugAssign {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'op': <class 'ast.operator'>, 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
AnnAssign {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'annotation': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'value': ast.expr | None, 'simple': <class 'int'>}
For {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'iter': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt], 'type_comment': str | None}
AsyncFor {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'iter': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt], 'type_comment': str | None}
While {'test': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt]}
If {'test': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt]}
With {'items': list[ast.withitem], 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'type_comment': str | None}
AsyncWith {'items': list[ast.withitem], 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'type_comment': str | None}
Match {'subject': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'cases': list[ast.match_case]}
Raise {'exc': ast.expr | None, 'cause': ast.expr | None}
Try {'body': list[ast.stmt], 'handlers': list[ast.excepthandler], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt], 'finalbody': list[ast.stmt]}
TryStar {'body': list[ast.stmt], 'handlers': list[ast.excepthandler], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt], 'finalbody': list[ast.stmt]}
Assert {'test': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'msg': ast.expr | None}
Import {'names': list[ast.alias]}
ImportFrom {'module': str | None, 'names': list[ast.alias], 'level': int | None}
Global {'names': list[str]}
Nonlocal {'names': list[str]}
Expr {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Pass {}
Break {}
Continue {}
BoolOp {'op': <class 'ast.boolop'>, 'values': list[ast.expr]}
NamedExpr {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
BinOp {'left': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'op': <class 'ast.operator'>, 'right': <class 'ast.expr'>}
UnaryOp {'op': <class 'ast.unaryop'>, 'operand': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Lambda {'args': <class 'ast.arguments'>, 'body': <class 'ast.expr'>}
IfExp {'test': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'body': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'orelse': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Dict {'keys': list[ast.expr], 'values': list[ast.expr]}
Set {'elts': list[ast.expr]}
ListComp {'elt': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'generators': list[ast.comprehension]}
SetComp {'elt': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'generators': list[ast.comprehension]}
DictComp {'key': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'generators': list[ast.comprehension]}
GeneratorExp {'elt': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'generators': list[ast.comprehension]}
Await {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Yield {'value': ast.expr | None}
YieldFrom {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Compare {'left': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'ops': list[ast.cmpop], 'comparators': list[ast.expr]}
Call {'func': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'args': list[ast.expr], 'keywords': list[ast.keyword]}
FormattedValue {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'conversion': <class 'int'>, 'format_spec': ast.expr | None}
JoinedStr {'values': list[ast.expr]}
Constant {'value': <class 'object'>, 'kind': str | None}
Attribute {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'attr': <class 'str'>, 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
Subscript {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'slice': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
Starred {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
Name {'id': <class 'str'>, 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
List {'elts': list[ast.expr], 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
Tuple {'elts': list[ast.expr], 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
Slice {'lower': ast.expr | None, 'upper': ast.expr | None, 'step': ast.expr | None}
Load {}
Store {}
Del {}
AttributeError: AugLoad
AttributeError: AugStore
AttributeError: Param
And {}
Or {}
Add {}
Sub {}
Mult {}
MatMult {}
Div {}
Mod {}
Pow {}
LShift {}
RShift {}
BitOr {}
BitXor {}
BitAnd {}
FloorDiv {}
Invert {}
Not {}
UAdd {}
USub {}
Eq {}
NotEq {}
Lt {}
LtE {}
Gt {}
GtE {}
Is {}
IsNot {}
In {}
NotIn {}
ExceptHandler {'type': ast.expr | None, 'name': str | None, 'body': list[ast.stmt]}
MatchValue {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
MatchSingleton {'value': <class 'object'>}
MatchSequence {'patterns': list[ast.pattern]}
MatchMapping {'keys': list[ast.expr], 'patterns': list[ast.pattern], 'rest': str | None}
MatchClass {'cls': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'patterns': list[ast.pattern], 'kwd_attrs': list[str], 'kwd_patterns': list[ast.pattern]}
MatchStar {'name': str | None}
MatchAs {'pattern': ast.pattern | None, 'name': str | None}
MatchOr {'patterns': list[ast.pattern]}
TypeIgnore {'lineno': <class 'int'>, 'tag': <class 'str'>}
TypeVar {'name': <class 'str'>, 'bound': ast.expr | None, 'default_value': ast.expr | None}
ParamSpec {'name': <class 'str'>, 'default_value': ast.expr | None}
TypeVarTuple {'name': <class 'str'>, 'default_value': ast.expr | None}
AttributeError: Index
AttributeError: ExtSlice
countExceptions = 20

No errors after code changes

After adding logic to "Parser/asdl_c.py" to treat _field_types similar to _fields, the exceptions were replaced with empty dictionaries.

Summary

(.venv) C:\clones\cpython>C:\clones\cpython\python c:/clones/cpython/field_types.py
Running Debug|x64 interpreter...
3.15.0a0 (heads/main-dirty:b14986c9146, Jun 21 2025, 15:02:00) [MSC v.1944 64 bit (AMD64)]

astClass._fields
countExceptions = 0

astClass._field_types
countExceptions = 0

`_field_types` for all `ast.AST` subclasses

Details

AST {}
mod {}
stmt {}
expr {}
expr_context {}
boolop {}
operator {}
unaryop {}
cmpop {}
comprehension {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'iter': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'ifs': list[ast.expr], 'is_async': <class 'int'>}
excepthandler {}
arguments {'posonlyargs': list[ast.arg], 'args': list[ast.arg], 'vararg': ast.arg | None, 'kwonlyargs': list[ast.arg], 'kw_defaults': list[ast.expr], 'kwarg': ast.arg | None, 'defaults': list[ast.expr]}
arg {'arg': <class 'str'>, 'annotation': ast.expr | None, 'type_comment': str | None}
keyword {'arg': str | None, 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
alias {'name': <class 'str'>, 'asname': str | None}
withitem {'context_expr': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'optional_vars': ast.expr | None}
match_case {'pattern': <class 'ast.pattern'>, 'guard': ast.expr | None, 'body': list[ast.stmt]}
pattern {}
type_ignore {}
type_param {}
slice {}
Module {'body': list[ast.stmt], 'type_ignores': list[ast.type_ignore]}
Interactive {'body': list[ast.stmt]}
Expression {'body': <class 'ast.expr'>}
FunctionType {'argtypes': list[ast.expr], 'returns': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Suite {}
FunctionDef {'name': <class 'str'>, 'args': <class 'ast.arguments'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'decorator_list': list[ast.expr], 'returns': ast.expr | None, 'type_comment': str | None, 'type_params': list[ast.type_param]}
AsyncFunctionDef {'name': <class 'str'>, 'args': <class 'ast.arguments'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'decorator_list': list[ast.expr], 'returns': ast.expr | None, 'type_comment': str | None, 'type_params': list[ast.type_param]}
ClassDef {'name': <class 'str'>, 'bases': list[ast.expr], 'keywords': list[ast.keyword], 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'decorator_list': list[ast.expr], 'type_params': list[ast.type_param]}
Return {'value': ast.expr | None}
Delete {'targets': list[ast.expr]}
Assign {'targets': list[ast.expr], 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'type_comment': str | None}
TypeAlias {'name': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'type_params': list[ast.type_param], 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
AugAssign {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'op': <class 'ast.operator'>, 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
AnnAssign {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'annotation': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'value': ast.expr | None, 'simple': <class 'int'>}
For {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'iter': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt], 'type_comment': str | None}
AsyncFor {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'iter': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt], 'type_comment': str | None}
While {'test': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt]}
If {'test': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt]}
With {'items': list[ast.withitem], 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'type_comment': str | None}
AsyncWith {'items': list[ast.withitem], 'body': list[ast.stmt], 'type_comment': str | None}
Match {'subject': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'cases': list[ast.match_case]}
Raise {'exc': ast.expr | None, 'cause': ast.expr | None}
Try {'body': list[ast.stmt], 'handlers': list[ast.excepthandler], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt], 'finalbody': list[ast.stmt]}
TryStar {'body': list[ast.stmt], 'handlers': list[ast.excepthandler], 'orelse': list[ast.stmt], 'finalbody': list[ast.stmt]}
Assert {'test': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'msg': ast.expr | None}
Import {'names': list[ast.alias]}
ImportFrom {'module': str | None, 'names': list[ast.alias], 'level': int | None}
Global {'names': list[str]}
Nonlocal {'names': list[str]}
Expr {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Pass {}
Break {}
Continue {}
BoolOp {'op': <class 'ast.boolop'>, 'values': list[ast.expr]}
NamedExpr {'target': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
BinOp {'left': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'op': <class 'ast.operator'>, 'right': <class 'ast.expr'>}
UnaryOp {'op': <class 'ast.unaryop'>, 'operand': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Lambda {'args': <class 'ast.arguments'>, 'body': <class 'ast.expr'>}
IfExp {'test': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'body': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'orelse': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Dict {'keys': list[ast.expr], 'values': list[ast.expr]}
Set {'elts': list[ast.expr]}
ListComp {'elt': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'generators': list[ast.comprehension]}
SetComp {'elt': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'generators': list[ast.comprehension]}
DictComp {'key': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'generators': list[ast.comprehension]}
GeneratorExp {'elt': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'generators': list[ast.comprehension]}
Await {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Yield {'value': ast.expr | None}
YieldFrom {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
Compare {'left': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'ops': list[ast.cmpop], 'comparators': list[ast.expr]}
Call {'func': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'args': list[ast.expr], 'keywords': list[ast.keyword]}
FormattedValue {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'conversion': <class 'int'>, 'format_spec': ast.expr | None}
Interpolation {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'str': <class 'object'>, 'conversion': <class 'int'>, 'format_spec': ast.expr | None}
JoinedStr {'values': list[ast.expr]}
TemplateStr {'values': list[ast.expr]}
Constant {'value': <class 'object'>, 'kind': str | None}
Attribute {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'attr': <class 'str'>, 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
Subscript {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'slice': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
Starred {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
Name {'id': <class 'str'>, 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
List {'elts': list[ast.expr], 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
Tuple {'elts': list[ast.expr], 'ctx': <class 'ast.expr_context'>}
Slice {'lower': ast.expr | None, 'upper': ast.expr | None, 'step': ast.expr | None}
Load {}
Store {}
Del {}
AugLoad {}
AugStore {}
Param {}
And {}
Or {}
Add {}
Sub {}
Mult {}
MatMult {}
Div {}
Mod {}
Pow {}
LShift {}
RShift {}
BitOr {}
BitXor {}
BitAnd {}
FloorDiv {}
Invert {}
Not {}
UAdd {}
USub {}
Eq {}
NotEq {}
Lt {}
LtE {}
Gt {}
GtE {}
Is {}
IsNot {}
In {}
NotIn {}
ExceptHandler {'type': ast.expr | None, 'name': str | None, 'body': list[ast.stmt]}
MatchValue {'value': <class 'ast.expr'>}
MatchSingleton {'value': <class 'object'>}
MatchSequence {'patterns': list[ast.pattern]}
MatchMapping {'keys': list[ast.expr], 'patterns': list[ast.pattern], 'rest': str | None}
MatchClass {'cls': <class 'ast.expr'>, 'patterns': list[ast.pattern], 'kwd_attrs': list[str], 'kwd_patterns': list[ast.pattern]}
MatchStar {'name': str | None}
MatchAs {'pattern': ast.pattern | None, 'name': str | None}
MatchOr {'patterns': list[ast.pattern]}
TypeIgnore {'lineno': <class 'int'>, 'tag': <class 'str'>}
TypeVar {'name': <class 'str'>, 'bound': ast.expr | None, 'default_value': ast.expr | None}
ParamSpec {'name': <class 'str'>, 'default_value': ast.expr | None}
TypeVarTuple {'name': <class 'str'>, 'default_value': ast.expr | None}
Index {}
ExtSlice {}
countExceptions = 0

Check for errors on branches

Not applicable to 3.9, 3.10, 3.11, 3.12.

Branch 3.13

Details

(.venv) C:\clones\cpython>C:\clones\cpython\python c:/clones/cpython/field_types.py
Running Debug|x64 interpreter...
3.13.5+ (heads/3.13:4eab9da960d, Jun 21 2025, 14:44:53) [MSC v.1944 64 bit (AMD64)]

astClass._fields
countExceptions = 0

astClass._field_types
AttributeError: AST
AttributeError: mod
AttributeError: stmt
AttributeError: expr
AttributeError: expr_context
AttributeError: boolop
AttributeError: operator
AttributeError: unaryop
AttributeError: cmpop
AttributeError: excepthandler
AttributeError: pattern
AttributeError: type_ignore
AttributeError: type_param
AttributeError: slice
AttributeError: Suite
AttributeError: AugLoad
AttributeError: AugStore
AttributeError: Param
AttributeError: Index
AttributeError: ExtSlice
countExceptions = 20

Branch 3.14

Details

(.venv) C:\clones\cpython>C:\clones\cpython\python c:/clones/cpython/field_types.py
Running Debug|x64 interpreter...
3.14.0b3+ (heads/3.14:73e2089ed13, Jun 21 2025, 14:57:19) [MSC v.1944 64 bit (AMD64)]

astClass._fields
countExceptions = 0

astClass._field_types
AttributeError: AST
AttributeError: mod
AttributeError: stmt
AttributeError: expr
AttributeError: expr_context
AttributeError: boolop
AttributeError: operator
AttributeError: unaryop
AttributeError: cmpop
AttributeError: excepthandler
AttributeError: pattern
AttributeError: type_ignore
AttributeError: type_param
AttributeError: slice
AttributeError: Suite
AttributeError: AugLoad
AttributeError: AugStore
AttributeError: Param
AttributeError: Index
AttributeError: ExtSlice
countExceptions = 20

Branch main

Details

(.venv) C:\clones\cpython>C:\clones\cpython\python c:/clones/cpython/field_types.py
Running Debug|x64 interpreter...
3.15.0a0 (heads/main:b14986c9146, Jun 21 2025, 14:59:45) [MSC v.1944 64 bit (AMD64)]

astClass._fields
countExceptions = 0

astClass._field_types
AttributeError: AST
AttributeError: mod
AttributeError: stmt
AttributeError: expr
AttributeError: expr_context
AttributeError: boolop
AttributeError: operator
AttributeError: unaryop
AttributeError: cmpop
AttributeError: excepthandler
AttributeError: pattern
AttributeError: type_ignore
AttributeError: type_param
AttributeError: slice
AttributeError: Suite
AttributeError: AugLoad
AttributeError: AugStore
AttributeError: Param
AttributeError: Index
AttributeError: ExtSlice
countExceptions = 20

Python code used to generate the above tests

Details

from itertools import chain
import ast
import sys

print(sys.version, end='\n\n')

countExceptions = 0
print('astClass._fields')
for astClass in [C for C in [ast.AST,*chain(*(c.__subclasses__() for c in [ast.AST,ast.Constant,*ast.AST.__subclasses__()]))] if issubclass(C,ast.AST)]:
	try:
		print(astClass.__name__, astClass._fields)
		# astClass._fields
	except AttributeError as ERRORmessage:
		print(ERRORmessage.__class__.__name__, astClass.__name__, sep=': ')
		countExceptions += 1
print(f"{countExceptions = }\n")

countExceptions = 0
print('astClass._field_types')
for astClass in [C for C in [ast.AST,*chain(*(c.__subclasses__() for c in [ast.AST,ast.Constant,*ast.AST.__subclasses__()]))] if issubclass(C,ast.AST)]:
	try:
		print(astClass.__name__, astClass._field_types)
		# astClass._field_types
	except AttributeError as ERRORmessage:
		print(ERRORmessage.__class__.__name__, astClass.__name__, sep=': ')
		countExceptions += 1
print(f"{countExceptions = }")

CPython versions tested on:

3.13, 3.14, CPython main branch

Operating systems tested on:

Windows

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hunterhogan
added
type-bugAn unexpected behavior, bug, or errorAn unexpected behavior, bug, or error
on Jun 21, 2025
picnixz
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stdlibStandard Library Python modules in the Lib/ directoryStandard Library Python modules in the Lib/ directory
on Jun 21, 2025
picnixz commented on Jun 21, 2025
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cc @JelleZijlstra
terryjreedy
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type-bugAn unexpected behavior, bug, or errorAn unexpected behavior, bug, or error
on Jun 21, 2025
terryjreedy commented on Jun 21, 2025
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on Jun 21, 2025
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Whether this is a bug report or feature request depends on the relevant doc, which is the section on ast.AST. It says that each concrete class has _fields and _field_types and that _field_types was added in 3.13. It says nothing about abstract classes, but the rule seems to be that abstract classes have _fields set to an empty tuple but no _field_types, which would have to be an empty dict. mod is an abstract type, so the example is not necessarily a bug.

One can argue that omitting empty dicts is fine and they would be redundant with the empty tuples. On the other hand, one could argue the adding then would be more convenient. But it would break code that depends on getting the exception. So it is unclear to me whether we should. We might look at the issue that added _field_types for whether the omission is intentional.

@Yhg1s Do you agree that this should be called a new feature?
terryjreedy commented on Jun 22, 2025
terryjreedy
on Jun 22, 2025
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The _field_types doc was added by PR #118212. This made the pre-existing private attribute 'public'. It may not exist on user subclasses. I will let the author @JelleZijlstra comment further as to whether the proposed addition should be made.

hunterhogan commented on Jun 22, 2025

hunterhogan

on Jun 22, 2025

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python/typeshed says ast.AST and its subclasses have _field_types. So, if this is a "feature request" in python/cpython, it would necessarily be a bug report in typeshed.

class AST:
    if sys.version_info >= (3, 10):
        __match_args__ = ()
    _attributes: ClassVar[tuple[str, ...]]
    _fields: ClassVar[tuple[str, ...]]
    if sys.version_info >= (3, 13):
        _field_types: ClassVar[dict[str, Any]]


    if sys.version_info >= (3, 14):
        def __replace__(self) -> Self: ...

https://github.com/python/typeshed/blob/707cd57e4935d36e2c812ef6c650b8faa2890162/stdlib/ast.pyi#L31-L41

hunterhogan
added a commit that references this issue on Jun 22, 2025
Remove _field_types from abstract classes: this is not a feature. Per @…
94f106a
JelleZijlstra commented on Jun 22, 2025
JelleZijlstra
on Jun 22, 2025
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Let's add this in 3.15 but leave the bugfix branches alone.
Reacted by Emma Smith and DepBreaker woju
picnixz
added
type-bugAn unexpected behavior, bug, or errorAn unexpected behavior, bug, or error

type-featureA feature request or enhancementA feature request or enhancement

interpreter-core(Objects, Python, Grammar, and Parser dirs)(Objects, Python, Grammar, and Parser dirs)

triagedThe issue has been accepted as valid by a triager.The issue has been accepted as valid by a triager.
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stdlibStandard Library Python modules in the Lib/ directoryStandard Library Python modules in the Lib/ directory
on Jun 22, 2025
picnixz commented on Jun 22, 2025
picnixz
on Jun 22, 2025
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I'll mark it as a bug/feature so that we know that it's a known issue but we decided to only change it in 3.15.
Wojusensei commented on Oct 16, 2026
Wojusensei
on Oct 16, 2026
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I'd like to pick this up and dive deep into the work,if there are any mistakes in my work I'd appreciate some guidance

Note that py3.15 has branched and main is now py3.16, so i plan to target py3.16 (no backports), which matches @JelleZijlstra 's decision to make the change on the default branch only

My Plan:

set an empty _field_types dict on ast.AST in add_ast_fields(), so abstract classes inherit it the same way they already inherit _fields

add a test in Lib/test/test_ast/test_ast.py

adjust the _field_types doc line that currently says "on each concrete class"
Wojusensei
added a commit that references this issue on Oct 17, 2026
pythongh-135797: Add _field_types to abstract AST classes
711a776
kevinprimeraquecreo-stack
added this to Project_VKon Oct 18, 2026
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moved this to Todo in Project_VKon Oct 18, 2026
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ast.class._field_types causes Exception when ast.class._fields does not cause Exception #135797

Description

Bug report

Bug description:

_field and _field_types behave differently

Example: ast.mod

_field and _field_types for all ast.AST subclasses

No errors after code changes

Summary

_field_types for all ast.AST subclasses

Check for errors on branches

Branch 3.13

Branch 3.14

Branch main

Python code used to generate the above tests

CPython versions tested on:

Operating systems tested on:

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picnixz commented on Jun 21, 2025

terryjreedy commented on Jun 21, 2025

terryjreedy commented on Jun 22, 2025

hunterhogan commented on Jun 22, 2025

JelleZijlstra commented on Jun 22, 2025

picnixz commented on Jun 22, 2025

Wojusensei commented on Oct 16, 2026

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`ast.class._field_types` causes Exception when `ast.class._fields` does not cause Exception #135797

`_field` and `_field_types` behave differently

Example: `ast.mod`

`_field` and `_field_types` for all `ast.AST` subclasses

`_field_types` for all `ast.AST` subclasses