Python Coding challenge - Day 304| What is the output of the following Python Code?

 

Explanation:

Import the copy module

import copy

The copy module provides functions for creating copies of objects in Python. In this case, we are using copy.copy(), which creates a shallow copy.

Create the list lst1

lst1 = [1, 2, [3, 4]]

lst1 is a list that contains:

Two integers: 1 and 2

One nested list: [3, 4]

Create a shallow copy of lst1

lst2 = copy.copy(lst1)

lst2 is a shallow copy of lst1.

A shallow copy means that:

The outer list itself is copied, so lst1 and lst2 are two separate lists.

However, for nested objects (in this case, the list [3, 4]), the copy only references the same object. So, lst1[2] and lst2[2] both refer to the same inner list [3, 4].

Modify the inner list of lst2

lst2[2][0] = 5

This modifies the first element ([0]) of the inner list lst2[2] (which is [3, 4]) and changes it to 5.

Since lst2[2] and lst1[2] refer to the same inner list, this modification also affects lst1.

Result:

After executing the code:

Both lst1 and lst2 now have the same values:

lst1 = [1, 2, [5, 4]]

lst2 = [1, 2, [5, 4]]