This is not something fundamental to OOP, just specific to Pharo or 
<br/>Smalltalk.
<br/><br/>Take for example Python. It has similar object model (objects, classes, 
<br/>metaclasses). Every time class is defined (either by class keyword, or 
<br/>by type() function, or by calling a metaclass), its metaclass' __init__ 
<br/>method is called.
<br/>Usually you don't need to redefine metaclass' __init__ method, because 
<br/>class attributes are initialized in class definition. But when you do, 
<br/>it works as expected.
<br/><br/>27.08.2014 15:50, kilon.alios [via Smalltalk] ��������������(����):
<div class='shrinkable-quote'><br/>&gt; I will be adding an &quot;Introduction to Object Orientation&quot; chapter to the
<br/>&gt; new updated Pharo By Example online book, so I will add this to the
<br/>&gt; chapter. The chapter will target people not familiar with Object
<br/>&gt; Orientation and people new to coding. Its not an immediate target but it
<br/>&gt; will happen till the end of the year.
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt; On Wed, Aug 27, 2014 at 3:44 PM, Mariano Martinez Peck &lt;[hidden email]
<br/>&gt; &lt;/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=node&amp;node=4775051&amp;i=0&gt;&gt; wrote:
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; On Wed, Aug 27, 2014 at 8:22 AM, webwarrior &lt;[hidden email]
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &lt;/user/SendEmail.jtp?type=node&amp;node=4775051&amp;i=1&gt;&gt; wrote:
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; As class is just an object in Smalltalk, it would be reasonable
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; to believe
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; that #initialize message is always sent to class on creation.
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; However, that's not true. It is only sent to classes that redefine
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; #initialize. Also sending super initialize may lead to problems.
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; Ohhh yes. There is always a time for every Smalltalkers where you
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; discover that doing super for class side initialize is not a good idea.
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; Here was my time:
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="http://forum.world.st/super-initialize-is-not-a-good-idea-for-Behaviors-td3086162.html" target="_top" rel="nofollow" link="external">http://forum.world.st/super-initialize-is-not-a-good-idea-for-Behaviors-td3086162.html</a><br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; None of these is mentioned in documentation (I assume Pahro By
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Example is
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; the official one). It only says that #initialize is sent when
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; class is
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; loaded into memory.
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; I think either this behavior should be made more consistent, or
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; excplicitly
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; mentioned in the docs.
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; +1 to the documentation
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; --
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; View this message in context:
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="http://forum.world.st/Unintuitive-behavior-of-class-side-initialize-tp4775042.html" target="_top" rel="nofollow" link="external">http://forum.world.st/Unintuitive-behavior-of-class-side-initialize-tp4775042.html</a><br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Sent from the Pharo Smalltalk Users mailing list archive at
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; Nabble.com.
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; --
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; Mariano
<br/>&gt; &nbsp; &nbsp; <a href="http://marianopeck.wordpress.com" target="_top" rel="nofollow" link="external">http://marianopeck.wordpress.com</a><br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
<br/>&gt;
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