I need help on a python code

Question

I am working on learning concepts, so I started doing a simple story for practice. I am playing around with list functions. I can’t get my code to replace the value of the third item in my list when I print it, and I can’t finish the project until I figure this out. I am a beginner so please try to keep the explanations geared towards that. Thanks! Here’s the code:

#guest 3 can’t make it to dinner and I have to invite
#someone else instead and send out invitations again

guest_list = ["grant cardone", "alexis downing", "jon morales"]
message = ", you are invited to dinner at James' house tonight!"
guest_1 = guest_list[0].title() + message
guest_2 = guest_list[1].title() + message
guest_3 = guest_list[2].title() + message
guests = guest_1 + " \n" + guest_2 + " \n" + guest_3

print ("I am having a dinner party tonight, and three people are invited to attend.")

print ("\nOh no! It looks like " + guest_list[2].title() + " can't make it! Sad day!\n")

guest_list[2] = "jack sparrow"
print(guests)

Answer 1

You modify the list, but you print another thing (guests, not guest_list). This will do the trick:

print(guest_list)

Or if you also want to modify the message just repeat the line "guests = ..." and print it.

Answer 2

oh ok, thanks! Im reading through a python crash course too. I think i jumped the gun lol

Answer 3

i thought since guests referenced the index of the individual list that it would change for that variable too. Does it only change at one layer?

Answer 4

They're different objects, so changing one doesn't change the other. The case where they are the same object is explained in the Python course.