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Python's Data Model Explained through Visualization (programming.dev)
submitted 7 months ago by to c/python@programming.dev
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An exercise to help build the right mental model for Python data.

The โ€œSolutionโ€ link visualizes execution and reveals whatโ€™s actually happening using ๐—บ๐—ฒ๐—บ๐—ผ๐—ฟ๐˜†_๐—ด๐—ฟ๐—ฎ๐—ฝ๐—ต: https://github.com/bterwijn/memory_graph

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[โ€“] 4 points 7 months ago* (last edited 7 months ago) (3 children)

I expect A if "b" is a clone, or E if it's a reference. But I also wouldnt combine array operations like this.

The answer being C feels like a bug.

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  • [โ€“] 2 points 7 months ago (2 children)

    Eh, I get it. The equal operator creates a reference but the plus operator isn't destructive so it creates a new list and overwrites the variable b with a new list, when assigned.

    Of course, this would all be avoided if creating copies was the norm; which is why I stick with functional languages.

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  • [โ€“] [S] 2 points 7 months ago (1 child)

    Copying a list with a million elements every time you make a small change is not fun. Sure, you can optimize a bit behind the scenes, but that still gives a lot of overhead.

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  • [โ€“] 2 points 7 months ago

    And we can create data structures and algorithms that fit a more functional style without relying on imperative assumptions of how data should be handled. Data structures like vlists could be applicable, for example.

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