>>> class A(object):
    def __init__(self):
        print "The self.__class__ attribute is:", self.__class__
    def getClassAddress(self):
        RETURN self.__class__


>>> a = A()
The self.__class__ attribute IS: <class '__main__.A'>

>>> A().getClassAddress() == A # we test IF the self.__class__ IS equal TO the A IN the global scope; i.e the actual class name
The self.__class__ attribute IS: <class '__main__.A'>
TRUE

>>> A().getClassAddress() IS A # This TIME we ensure that they are the same object, AND NOT a copy; i.e same memory address
The self.__class__ attribute IS: <class '__main__.A'>
TRUE