What are some examples of mutable state in Python?

What are some examples of mutable state in Python?

Mutable state in Python refers to objects that can be changed after they are created. Examples include lists, dictionaries, and sets.

Can you give me a specific example using a list?

Sure! Here's an example: you can create a list like this: my_list = [1, 2, 3]. You can then modify it by appending an element: my_list.append(4), which changes the list to [1, 2, 3, 4].

What about dictionaries? How do they demonstrate mutable state?

Dictionaries are also mutable. For example, you can create a dictionary like this: my_dict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}. You can change the value associated with a key: my_dict['a'] = 3, which updates the dictionary to {'a': 3, 'b': 2}.

Are there any downsides to using mutable state?

Yes, mutable state can lead to unintended side effects, especially in larger programs, as changes to mutable objects can affect other parts of the code that reference them.