How to modify object attribute by python C API

[Ben Sizer]

Huayang Xia wrote:

>     PyObject* py_obj_attr1 = PyObject_GetAttrString(obj, "attr1");
>     PyObject_SetAttrString(py_obj_attr1, "attr2",
> PyString_FromString("a"));
>     Py_DECREF(py_obj_attr1);
>
> The object py_obj_attr1 is said to be a "New reference". It's
> confusing, does it refer to the same object as "obj.attr1" in python's
> term?

Yes, it refers to the same object. Each object can have many
references, and is deleted when all the references are gone. The new
reference in this case means that Python has taken note that there's a
new use of that object - your C code. It means it won't delete that
object, even if no more Python code refers to it, because it knows your
C code holds a reference to it. Therefore, when your C code no longer
needs to access the object, you call Py_DECREF.

-- 
Ben Sizer