"IS" operator in Python?

Question

Hello,

I came across this code while doing Python challenges:

a = 257
b = 257
print(a ==b and a is b)

The correct answer was True. However, when I tried to check the code in my computer, the answer was False. And when I wrote the same code in an online terminal, the answer was True.

I'm really confused! May you please clarfiy the issue! Thank you!

Answer 1

I literally just posted a code about the "is" operator, where you can see that it is a bit confusing.

https://code.sololearn.com/cmVycLQLH0JY/

Answer 2

The reason is that "is" compare the objects => the variables refer to different places in memory and they have different id => they are not the same object, but it depends on the size of the numbers.

Answer 3

N. A. but for small numbers Python uses the same object instance so that's why the answer is true.

Answer 4

@~ swim ~ Thank you so much. Such helpful answer :)

Answer 5

Thank you ! Then the correct answer must be false , unlike what's set in the sololearn quiz, am I right?

Answer 6

TheWh¡teCat Thank you! Whats the range of the small numbers?

Answer 7

@Loeschzwerg Thank you, I'll check it out :)