Syntax: pointers versus value

[Danny Castonguay]

Tino Lange wrote:
> Use:
> listB = listA[:]

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In the example I have given, it does solve the problem.  However, for 
some reason I don't understand, it doesn't work in the next example:

def ps_of_missing_edges(initial_graph, missing_edges):
	num_m_e = len(missing_edges) #number of missing_edges
	num_e_pset = 2**num_m_e
	graphs = []
	for i in range(0,num_e_pset): #iteration will stop at 2^num-1
		temp_i = i #use temp_i to find i's bit values
		new_graph = initial_graph[:]
		print 'initial_graph is ' + str(initial_graph)
		for j in range (0,num_m_e):
			if temp_i%2 == 1:
				new_graph[missing_edges[j][0]-1].append(missing_edges[j][1])
			temp_i = temp_i >> 1
		graphs.append(new_graph)
	return graphs

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the output when I call:
  ps_of_missing_edges([[2,3],[1],[1]], [[2,3],[3, 2]])
is:
	initial_graph is [[2, 3], [1], [1]]
	initial_graph is [[2, 3], [1], [1]]
	initial_graph is [[2, 3], [1, 3], [1]]
	initial_graph is [[2, 3], [1, 3], [1, 2]]

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Therefore, somehow initial_graph's value changes even though the 
assignment is new_graph = initial_graph[:]

Assuming that the assignment does it's job, then I don't see how 
initial_graph's value changes.


Thank you,