how can I clear a dictionary in python

[Aahz]

In article <KP-dnXOp7ea8IZbbnZ2dnUVZ_oCmnZ2d at comcast.com>,
Larry Bates  <lbates at websafe.com> wrote:
>Aahz wrote:
>> In article <4_SdndYI-pFUbZfbnZ2dnUVZ_hzinZ2d at comcast.com>,
>> Larry Bates  <lbates at websafe.com> wrote:
>>> Marko.Cain.23 at gmail.com wrote:
>>>>
>>>> I create a dictionary like this
>>>> myDict = {}
>>>>
>>>> and I add entry like this:
>>>> myDict['a'] = 1
>>>> but how can I empty the whole dictionary?
>>> just point myDict to an empty dictionary again
>>>
>>> myDict={}
>> 
>> Go back and read Christian's post, then post a followup explaning why his
>> solution is better than yours.  Your explanation should use id().
>
>I believe he (as many new to Python do) are mired in old programming
>thinking that variables "contain" things.  As I'm sure you kno,
>variables point to things in Python.  I don't believe that there are
>lots of other objects pointing to this dictionary.  Perhaps the OP
>can clarify for us.  If there aren't other objects pointing to this
>dictionary it would make NO sense to iterate over a dictionary and
>delete all the keys/values so I tried to read between the lines and
>answer what I believe the OP thought he was asking.

Then you should explain why you didn't answer the question that was
asked.  Answering a different question without explanation makes your
answer irrelevant at best, wrong at worst.

>BTW-I didn't see you posting an answer to what you thought was the
>"correct" question, just criticizing me for taking the time to answer
>what I perceived the OP was asking.

Because Christian already answered the question!  Granted, he chose a
pseudo-Socratic approach, but with the OP already using the word "clear"
in the Subject: line, I think that was entirely reasonable.
-- 
Aahz (aahz at pythoncraft.com)           <*>         http://www.pythoncraft.com/

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