2025-04-27 – 22:15-22:40 (Africa/Abidjan), Barn
In Python, assignment statements don't copy objects, and data structures don't actually contain objects. These two surprising facts have a lot of interesting consequences and are the reason behind many of Python's design decisions.
In this talk, we'll explore the reference-like nature of Python's variables and objects, noting both the benefits and gotchas involved.
Among other ideas, we'll see that in Python:
- The word "change" is ambiguous
- Copying is usually explicit
- Mutable default values are a gotcha layered on another gotcha
- Infinitely recursive data structures aren't a concern
- And tuples aren't always immutable
During the process, we'll poke at our own mental model of Python and we'll get a bit pedantic at times.
Join us to learn how in Python, it's pointers (or references, names, bindings, or aliases) all the way down.
Trey Hunner helps individuals and teams level-up their Python skills through Python Morsels courses/exercises and his weekly Python tips newsletter.