Python list([]) and []

Question

from cs1graphics import *
from math import sqrt

numLinks = 50
restingLength = 20.0
totalSeparation = 630.0
elasticityConstant = 0.005
gravityConstant = 0.110
epsilo         


        

Answer 1

oldchain = list(chain)

oldchain points to a new list that is not chain (not the same object) but has the same contents.
*As other answers have mentioned, this is makes oldchain a "shallow copy" of chain.

oldchain = chain

oldchain just points to chain, both point to same object

However, note that oldchain = [] and oldchain = list() are functionally the same since both are creating an empty list. It becomes different when other references (ie. chain) are involved.