what is the output of following Python code? 🧵:

 a = (1, 2, 3)  # tuple

b = (1, 2, 3)

print(f"a is b: {a is b}")  # True

a = {1, 2, 3}  # set

b = {1, 2, 3}

print(f"a is b: {a is b}")  # False

a = 1 + 2j  # complex number

b = 1 + 2j

print(f"a is b: {a is b}")  # True

Let's break down each part of the code:

a = (1, 2, 3)  # tuple

b = (1, 2, 3)

print(f"a is b: {a is b}")  # True

Here, you are creating two tuples a and b with the same values (1, 2, 3). Tuples are immutable in Python, and for small immutable objects like tuples, Python often optimizes and reuses the same object in memory. Therefore, a is b is True because both variables reference the same tuple object.

a = {1, 2, 3}  # set

b = {1, 2, 3}

print(f"a is b: {a is b}")  # False

In this part, you are creating two sets a and b with the same values {1, 2, 3}. Unlike tuples, sets are mutable in Python. The optimization for reusing the same object in memory doesn't typically happen with mutable objects. Therefore, a is b is False because each set is a distinct object in memory.

a = 1 + 2j  # complex number

b = 1 + 2j

print(f"a is b: {a is b}")  # True

In the last part, you are creating two complex numbers a and b with the same values 1 + 2j. Similar to tuples, complex numbers are immutable, so Python optimizes and reuses the same object in memory. Therefore, a is b is True because both variables reference the same complex number object.

In summary, the behavior of is and == depends on the type of objects being compared and whether they are mutable or immutable. For immutable objects, like tuples and complex numbers in your examples, is may evaluate to True because Python may reuse the same object in memory for efficiency. However, for mutable objects, like sets, is is more likely to evaluate to False because each object is distinct in memory. It's generally safer to use == for equality comparisons unless you specifically want to check object identity.