Variables versus name bindings [Re: A certainl part of an if() structure never gets executed.]

[Larry Hudson]

On 06/17/2013 08:50 AM, Simpleton wrote:
> On 17/6/2013 2:58 μμ, Michael Torrie wrote:
>
> a = 5
> b = a
>
> a <---> memory address
> b <---> memory address
>
> I like to think a and b as references to the same memory address
>
Not quite:  a and b _are_ memory addresses,  At the same time, a and b are references to the 
data (the objects) stored in those memory locations.

The distinction is probably more important in languages like C/C++, where the _language_ gives 
you direct access to, and can manipulate, these memory addresses (through pointers).  Python 
handles it differently and does not give you this sort of ability, it all occurs "under the 
hood".  Yes, the id() function will tell you the addresses, but you can't do anything with them 
other than perhaps compare them.  It's really pretty much useless information.