What is a deep copy in Python and how do I create one?

What is a deep copy in Python and how do I create one?

A deep copy in Python creates a new object that is a copy of the original object, including all nested objects.

Can you show me an example of how to create a deep copy?

Sure! You can use the copy module. Here's an example:

import copy
original = [1, 2, [3, 4]]
deep_copied = copy.deepcopy(original)

This creates a deep copy of the list.

What’s the difference between a deep copy and a shallow copy?

A shallow copy creates a new object but inserts references into it to the objects found in the original. A deep copy, however, creates copies of all objects recursively.

When should I use a deep copy instead of a shallow copy?

Use a deep copy when you need to modify the copied object without affecting the original, especially if it contains nested objects.