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Distinguishing Between Objects and Values in Python

The document discusses the difference between equivalent and identical objects in Python. Equivalent objects have the same value but are not necessarily the same object in memory, while identical objects refer to the same memory location. It provides examples using lists to illustrate equivalent versus identical objects and how variables store references to objects rather than the objects themselves, so modifying an alias also modifies the original object.

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11 views

Distinguishing Between Objects and Values in Python

The document discusses the difference between equivalent and identical objects in Python. Equivalent objects have the same value but are not necessarily the same object in memory, while identical objects refer to the same memory location. It provides examples using lists to illustrate equivalent versus identical objects and how variables store references to objects rather than the objects themselves, so modifying an alias also modifies the original object.

Uploaded by

ezra fred
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Distinguishing Between Objects and Values in Python

In Python, the terms "equivalent" and "identical" are used to distinguish between objects and
values. Two objects are considered equivalent if they have the same value, even if they are not
the same object in memory. On the other hand, two objects are identical if they refer to the same
memory location.
Example of Equivalent and Identical in Python Lists
# Equivalent but not identical
list1 = [1, 2, 3]
list2 = [1, 2, 3]
print(list1 == list2) # Output: True
print(list1 is list2) # Output: False

# Identical
list3 = list1
print(list1 is list3) # Output: True

In the example, list1 and list2 are equivalent because they have the same values, but they are not
identical as they refer to different memory locations. list3 is identical to list1 because it refers to
the same memory location.
Objects, References, and Aliasing
In Python, variables store references to objects rather than the objects themselves. When a
variable is assigned to another, it creates an alias, meaning both variables refer to the same
object. For example:
a = [1, 2, 3]
b = a # 'b' is now an alias for 'a'
b.append(4)
print(a) # Output: [1, 2, 3, 4]

Here, modifying b also modifies a because they refer to the same list object.
Function Modifying a List Argument
def modify_list(lst):
lst.append(4)

my_list = [1, 2, 3]
modify_list(my_list)
print(my_list) # Output: [1, 2, 3, 4]

In this example, my_list is passed as an argument to modify_list function. Inside the


function, lst is a parameter that refers to the same list object as my_list. When lst is modified, it
affects the original list.

Question for Discussion: What impact does Python's memory management have on
programming techniques when dealing with mutable and immutable objects?

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