title: Why Dot Notation For "Method" Variables and Not For Others?
body: <p>Let's say I create the following class in Python:</p>
  
  <pre><code>class SomeClass(object):
      variable_1 = "Something"
      def __init__(self, variable_2):
          self.variable_2 = variable_2 + self.variable_1
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>I do not understand why variables lying outside the method (should I say function?) definition, but inside the body of class, are not named using the dot notation like <code>variable_1</code>, and variables inside the method definition are named - for example: <code>self.variable_2</code> - or referenced - for example: <code>self.variable_1</code> using the dot notation. Is this just a notation specific to Python or is this for some other reason?</p>