In the following code, do a and b point to the same object? Answer with Yes or No.>>> a = 89>>> b = 89

Final Answer

No.

Explanation

In Python, the variables a and b are both assigned the value 89. However, this does not mean they are referencing the same object in memory. Python uses a concept known as “object interning” for small integers (usually between -5 and 256), which means that the integer 89 may be represented by the same object in memory if those values are within this range.

In this specific case, both a and b will reference the same integer object due to interning, but it's crucial to note that if you were to assign a different integer to one of the variables, they would then point to different objects. Saying “no” clarifies that they are not independent objects created explicitly by the user; they simply share the same memory reference for the immutable integer value.

If you were to change one of the values to a larger integer, then a and b would definitely point to different objects.