Python Args By Reference

[Steve Holden]

Fredrik Lundh wrote:
> Grant Edwards wrote:
> 
> 
>>Yes.  All arguments are passed by reference.  This must be in
>>the FAQ somewhere...
> 
> 
> hopefully not, because that saying that "all arguments are passed
> by reference" is extremely confusing for people who've learned about
> "call by reference" in school.
> 
> as has discussed many times on this list, using "call by object"
> (or perhaps "call by object reference" or even "call by sharing")
> is better, both for CS heads and for ordinary people.
> 
> see e.g.
> 
>     http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-list/2003-May/163312.html
>     http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-list/2003-May/163028.html
>     http://mail.python.org/pipermail/python-list/2003-May/163078.html
> 
> from a thread where someone claimed that Python used "call by value"
> (which is true, as long as you're free to use your own definition of the
> word "value" ;-)
> 
Or, as one might say, '''"call by value" for some value of "value"'''.

regards
  Steve
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