Steven D'Aprano <st...@pearwood.info>: > In this case, "same object" carries the normal English meaning of > "same" and the normal computer science meaning of "object" in the > sense of "Object Oriented Programming". There's no mystery here, no > circular definition.
I see three possible ways of defining "is" / object identity (and other concepts): 1. hand waving ("normal English") 2. reduction to an underlying model (a real / conceptual computer) 3. formal semantics All methods are in use. Experienced programmers have #2 in mind but are embarrassed to admit they understand Python through C. Thus, they offer explanation #1 to newbies, who are too embarrassed to admit they don't get the explanation. I think #3 could be tried more often. It is analogous to providing the BNF of Python's syntax (which *is* done: <URL: https://docs.python.org/3/reference/grammar.html>). Marko -- https://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list