Modifying Class Object

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On Thu, 11 Feb 2010 07:37:35 +0100, Alf P. Steinbach wrote:
> * Steven D'Aprano:
>> s = [1]
>> t = s         # Binds the name t to the object bound to the name s.
>> t[0] = 2      # Changes the object bound to the name t print(s)      #
>> Checks the object via the original name.
>> 
>> Notice that your version describes what happens according to some
>> implementation, below the level of the Python virtual machine.
> 
> Consider just the
> 
>    assert( t is not s )
> 
>    t = s
> 
> Does this change anything at all in the computer's memory?
> 
> If it doesn't, then it has no effect whatsoever.
> 
> But since it does have an effect, a memory change has been effected.

I don't think your disagreeing with Steven here - by talking about "the 
computers memory," it's clear that you are talking about the details of 
an implementation of python, not the semantics of python itself. Unless, 
of course, you are under the misapprehension that "the computer's memory" 
is relevant to the python language, rather than the particular 
implementation. Python itself has nothing to do with "computers" or 
"memory"; these are mere implementation details.