What are object references in Python?

What are object references in Python?

In Python, an object reference is a way to access an object in memory. When you assign a variable to an object, you're actually creating a reference to that object.

Can you explain how object references affect memory management?

Sure! When you create an object, Python allocates memory for it. If multiple variables reference the same object, they share that memory. This can lead to efficient memory use but also to unintended side effects if one variable modifies the object.

What happens when I assign one variable to another?

When you assign one variable to another, both variables point to the same object in memory. Changes made through one variable will reflect in the other.

How can I create a copy of an object instead of a reference?

To create a copy, you can use the copy module. For example, import copy and then new_object = copy.copy(original_object) for a shallow copy.