Pass-by-object-reference

Definition

Pass-by-object-reference is a method of passing arguments to functions where the reference (or address) of the object is passed, not the actual object itself. This means changes made to the object within the function affect the original object outside the function.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. The term 'pass-by-object-reference' is often used interchangeably with 'pass-by-reference' in Python.
2. When passing mutable objects (e.g., lists, dictionaries), changes within a function affect the original object.
3. Immutable objects (e.g., integers, strings) cannot be altered; instead, new objects are created if changes are made.
4. In Python, all arguments are passed by object reference.
5. The behavior of pass-by-object-reference helps in optimizing memory usage but requires careful handling to avoid unintended side effects.

Review Questions

• What happens when you pass a list as an argument to a function and modify it inside that function?
• How does Python handle passing immutable objects like integers or strings to functions?
• Why is it important to understand pass-by-object-reference when working with functions and parameters?

Related terms

Mutable Object: An object whose state or value can be changed after its creation (e.g., lists, dictionaries).

Immutable Object: An object whose state or value cannot be changed once created (e.g., integers, strings).

Function Parameter: A variable used in a function definition that receives an argument's value when the function is called.