Accessing Python objects

Question

consider the following python snippet

spoon = 2 + 2

print spoon

def spoon(x):
    return x + 3

print spoon

spoon = 'foo'

print spoon

here we are using same name to create new objects. my doubt is how can we access the data inside the first object we created. i.e., how can i access 4 which is stored in spoon. although the name space is pointing to a new id but still the old object exists so i am asking is there anyway to access the contents of those objects ?

user2722968 · Accepted Answer · 2013-09-03 08:05:59Z

2

You can't. Once the object becomes unreachable, it is deallocated. The interpreter may find out about this immediately if the object is subject to reference counting. In that case 4 is gone the moment you set spoon to foo.

Consider this imperfect example for demonstration

class Foo(object):
    def __del__(self):
        print "tell my wife I love her!"


>>> f = Foo()
>>> def f():
...  print 'Make room for thy beloved king!'
...
tell my wife I love her!
>>>

edited Sep 3, 2013 at 8:05

answered Sep 3, 2013 at 6:08

user2722968

17.4k5 gold badges58 silver badges77 bronze badges

Sign up to request clarification or add additional context in comments.

6 Comments

cerkiewny Over a year ago

Wasn't he asking about function/variable name definitions rather than 2 same named variables?

charan Over a year ago

so here when ever a new object with same name space is created the interpreter will delete all the object associated data and starts creating a new object reference and store the new contents. correct me if i am wrong

Martijn Pieters Over a year ago

@charan: Values are like balloons, names are mere tags tied to the balloons. As soon as there are no more labels attached to a balloon, it drifts away into the sky..

Martijn Pieters Over a year ago

@charan: If you need continued access to a balloon, make sure you have it tied down to a label somewhere.

Martijn Pieters Over a year ago

@glglgl: I may have used the image before. :-)

|

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

Accessing Python objects

1 Answer 1

6 Comments

Your Answer

Hot Network Questions

Collectives™ on Stack Overflow

1 Answer 1

6 Comments

Your Answer

Sign up or log in

Post as a guest

Related