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Understanding Python's Variable Model

A practical exploration of references, objects, identity, and assignment in Python.

8 min read
  • Python
  • Programming Languages
  • Fundamentals

Understanding Python’s Variable Model

Python’s variable model is simple once you stop thinking about variables as boxes that contain values.

Instead, Python names refer to objects.

That small distinction explains a surprising amount of Python behavior.

Names and objects

Consider:

x = 10