Why?

Question

a = 1
b = a
a = 2
print(b) # 1

x = [0, 1, 2]
y = x
x[0] = 3
print(y[0]) # 3
x = 4
print(y) # [3, 1, 2]
print(x) # 4

https://code.sololearn.com/cI34f2qP4UMg/?ref=app

Answer 1

So when you do this a=1 a will store integer value when you y=x if x= [] (it store reference to array)y will store reference to the array. So if array changes and you call it through y you will see this change. When you do x=4 x no more store reference to array. So cant see it but it is not destroyed since y still have a reference to this array.