Welcome to the Treehouse Community

Want to collaborate on code errors? Have bugs you need feedback on? Looking for an extra set of eyes on your latest project? Get support with fellow developers, designers, and programmers of all backgrounds and skill levels here with the Treehouse Community! While you're at it, check out some resources Treehouse students have shared here.

Looking to learn something new?

Treehouse offers a seven day free trial for new students. Get access to thousands of hours of content and join thousands of Treehouse students and alumni in the community today.

Start your free trial

Python Python Collections (2016, retired 2019) Slices Introduction To Slices

Rohan Tinna
Rohan Tinna
3,415 Points
Posted by Rohan Tinna
Rohan Tinna
3,415 Points

Can't we just use clear_list = messy_list ?

What is the difference?

1 Answer

Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,236 Points
Steven Parker
Steven Parker
231,236 Points

Without the slice, a simple assignment does not make a copy of the list. Instead it would just make the new name reference the same list.

So later, when he sorts the "clean_list", it would also be sorted when you look at it using the name "messy_list".

Besides a slice, you can also make a copy with the built-in method:

clean_list = messy_list.copy()