What are references in programming?

What are references in programming?

References are variables that hold the memory address of another variable, allowing you to access and modify the original data.

How do references differ from pointers?

References are generally safer and easier to use than pointers, as they cannot be null and must always refer to a valid object.

Can you give me an example of using references in Python?

Sure! In Python, when you assign a list to another variable, both variables refer to the same list in memory. Modifying one will affect the other.

Are there any downsides to using references?

Yes, one downside is that they can lead to unintended side effects if not managed carefully, especially in larger codebases.