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A minor headache for a beginner coder (lemmy.dbzer0.com)
submitted 3 weeks ago by moosetwin@lemmy.dbzer0.com to c/python@programming.dev
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if var1 equals 1, and you run var2 = var1, that sets var2 to 1.

if list1 equals [1, 2, 3], and you run list2 = list1, that sets list2 to list1

so if you then run var1 = 2, var2 will still be 1

but if you run list1 = [3, 2, 1], list2 will give [3, 2, 1]

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[-] Diplomjodler3@lemmy.world 2 points 3 weeks ago* (last edited 3 weeks ago)

Everything's an object. A variable is a pointer to an object. var1 is a pointer to the object 1 (which is an integer). var2 is also a pointer to the same object. If you point var1 to a different object (the integer 2), that doesn't change var2. list1 is a pointer to the list object you defined. list2 is a pointer to the same object. If you change the object, both pointers still point to it.

At least that's my understanding of the whole business. If I got anything wrong, in sure somebody will point it out.

this post was submitted on 02 Aug 2025
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