Python, strange effect, but why?

Question

Hi @ all,
I did just stumble over a challenge:

def change(ls):
ls[1] = 6
lst = [5,8]
change(lst)
print(sum(lst))

The result is 11, but why? I would have supposed that 13 is the result.
The function does not have a return-statement, so the code outside the function should not be affected by the code within the function.
Or is this because of the mutable character of lists in Python?

Answer 1

Pointers Pointers Everywhere.
Unlike Normal Variables, List have pointers so even when they are passed from parameters they get change. Results 6 + 5 = 11

Search "Pointers" for more

Answer 2

Thank you all for your explanations! :-)

These are the little problems for what I hate Python sometimes.

Answer 3

Sorry, my quiz question 😋
Those are exactly pointers at work here, passing by reference not by value.

Answer 4

@ Kuba Siekierzynski:
That is a real nasty question. ;-)

I have now found a very good explanation for my initial question here:
https://www.quora.com/What-is-the-pointer-in-JUMP_LINK__&&__Python__&&__JUMP_LINK-Does-a-pointer-exist-in-Python

Answer 5

I don't know a lot in python..
but i think that you are change the ls[1] which was 8 to 6..
so the array become lst=[5,6]..
and the sum will be 5 + 6 = 11..
sorry if i am wrong but i am beginner in python..

Answer 6

In addition to your quora link: "mutable" is the ticket.

If you want to dig further, Python actually calls "by assignment" and not by reference (even if you're getting by-reference-like behavior here).
The distinction is important because rebinding is LOCAL, which is demonstrated / explained here:
https://stackoverflow.com/questions/986006/how-do-i-pass-a-variable-by-reference

and documented here, with specific mentions for "mutable":
https://docs.python.org/3/faq/programming.html#how-do-i-write-a-function-with-output-parameters-call-by-reference

Answer 7

@Niush +1, except, maybe, for full on functional programming languages...

Answer 8

change is an impure function that changes the list in-place. Thus, it DOES change the list you pass it

Answer 9

Not only Python, it's the same with most of the programming languages.