Python objects confusion: a=b, modify b and a changes! [duplicate]

Answer 1

Here are 3 ways to make a copy of list a:

Use slice notation:

copy_of_a = a[:]

Use the list constructor:

copy_of_a = list(a)

Use the copy module:

from copy import copy
copy_of_a = copy(a)

These are all shallow copies, which is sufficient for your question. To learn about the difference between shallow copy and deep copy read the documentation of the copy module.