Is this correct behavior for default parameters?

[Fredrik Lundh]

Bruce Pearson wrote:

> The first call to test has the file_list empty but on the second call to 
> test the file_list is no longer empty but contains the values appended 
> in the first call.
> 
> Is this correct behavior? I'm using python 2.5

yes:

     http://docs.python.org/ref/function.html

     "Default parameter values are evaluated when the function
     definition is executed." (in bold, even)

it's also explained in the tutorial (section 4.7.1) and in the FAQ.

(it's always a good idea to double-check the documentation or google a 
little before convincing yourself that you may have found a bug in a 
commonly used part of a system that's over 15 years old and has been 
used by hundred of thousands of programmers).

</F>