variables

Let us assign a variable x to value 5.

x = 5

When x = 5 is executed, Python creates an object to represent the value 5 and makes x reference this object.

Now, let's assign another variable y to the variable x.

y = x

This statement creates y and references the same object as x, not x itself. This is called a Shared Reference, where multiple variables reference the same object.

Now, if we write

x = 'Ashe'

Python creates a new object for the value "Ashe" and makes x reference this new object.

The variable y remains unchanged, still referencing the original object 5. Now, If we assign a new value to y:

y = 'Computer'

• Python creates yet another object for "Computer" and updates y to reference it.

• The original object 5 no longer has any references and becomes eligible for garbage collection.

• Python variables hold references to objects, not the actual objects themselves.

• Reassigning a variable does not affect other variables referencing the same object unless explicitly updated.

We can remove a variable from the namespace using the del keyword. This deletes the variable and frees up the memory it was using.

x = 10
del x
print(x)

Output

Traceback (most recent call last):
  File "<path>\<filename>.py", line 6, in <module>
    print(x)
          ^
NameError: name 'x' is not defined

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