Explaining names vs variables in Python

[Chris Angelico]

On Wed, Mar 2, 2016 at 11:34 PM, Marko Rauhamaa <marko at pacujo.net> wrote:
> The ontological question is, can two *distinct* objects with *identical*
> characteristics exist?
>
> The fermionic answer is, no.
>
> The bosonic answer is, sure.
>
> Set theory has fermionic ontology (it's called extensionality).
>
> Python sits on the fence on that one, allowing either ontology.

Python defines that every object has an identity, which can be
represented as an integer. Since this is an intrinsic part of the
object, no two distinct objects can truly have identical
characteristics. Python's objects are like rifles - there are many
like it, but this one is mine.

ChrisA