Thanks for the reply, both to Laszlo and Steve. Okay, I understand what you're saying.
But what if I need to make a "pointer" to a simple variable. For instance, in C: int i=1 int *j=&i *j = 2 print i and you get 2 printed. In Python, i=1 j=i j=2 print i and you get 1 printed. So, if I understand you correctly, I must make the reference to a more elaborate representation. Like: i=[1,] j=i j[0]=2 print i in order to get 2 printed. Correct? Steve Holden wrote: > John Henry wrote: > > Hi list, > > > > Just to make sure I understand this. > > > > Since there is no "pointer" type in Python, I like to know how I do > > that. > > > > For instance, if I do: > > > > ...some_huge_list is a huge list... > > some_huge_list[0]=1 > > aref = some_huge_list > > aref[0]=0 > > print some_huge_list[0] > > > > we know that the answere will be 0. In this case, aref is really a > > reference. > > > > But what if the right hand side is a simple variable (say an int)? Can > > I "reference" it somehow? Should I assume that: > > > > aref = _any_type_other_than_simple_one > > > > be a reference, and not a copy? > > > Yes. Attributes are always object references. The assignment is actually > the binding of a specific object to a name in some namespace, (r to an > element of a sequence or other container object. > > This applies *whatever* the type of the RHS experession: the expression > is evaluated to yield an object, and a reference to the object is stored > in the name or container element. > > regards > Steve > -- > Steve Holden +44 150 684 7255 +1 800 494 3119 > Holden Web LLC/Ltd http://www.holdenweb.com > Skype: holdenweb http://holdenweb.blogspot.com > Recent Ramblings http://del.icio.us/steve.holden -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list