modifying static (local) method variables

[Steve Holden]

t scytale wrote:
> i am using a mutable default paramater to simulate a static method variable.
> i notice that 
> - assigning to the var inside the method causes it to return to the
> default value at each call.
> - appending to the var gives the expected behaviour (the value is
> preserved to the next call
> 
> why is this?
> 

Because an assignment to an argument inside the method merely rebinds 
the local variable for the remainder of that execution. Mutating the 
referenced object ensures that the changed value is available to further 
calls.

regards
  Steve
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