Python Variables Basics Quiz

Python Variables Overview

• A Python variable is a symbolic name that references an object in memory.
• Variables can store different types of data, including numbers, strings, lists, and more.
• Python uses dynamic typing, meaning the type of a variable is determined at runtime and can change during program execution.

Nature of Python Variables

• Variables in Python do not hold the actual data; they point to objects that contain the data.
• When a variable is created, it is linked to the object but does not allocate memory directly for the data itself.
• The same variable can reference different objects at different times due to Python’s dynamic nature.

Variable Assignment and Object Behavior

• When an object is assigned to a variable, a reference to that object is created instead of copying the actual object.
• If multiple variables reference the same object, changing the object through one variable will affect all references.
• Reassignment of a variable to a new object updates the reference, redirecting to the new object while the old one remains unchanged until no references are left (may lead to garbage collection).

Defining Python Variables

• A variable is defined by simply assigning a value to a name using the assignment operator '='.
• Names of variables must follow certain rules: they can include letters, numbers, and underscores, but cannot start with a number and cannot be a reserved keyword.