Dictionary in Python

[kartheek]

Hi,

I am new to Python so please bear me for this simple question but I really could n't find reason for this.

current = {}
new_dict = current

print("Current Dict:",current)
print("New Dict:",new_dict)


current[1]={}

print("Current Dict:",current)
print("New Dict:",new_dict)

Here is the output of above program.

Current Dict: {}
New Dict: {}

Current Dict: {1: {}}
New Dict: {1: {}}

I understand I am assigning new_dict to current so first time the new_dict is also empty dictionary. But after I assign current[1]={}, why the value of new_dict also got changed?

The reason why I am confused is here is a simple variable assignment program

a=0
b=a
print(a)
print(b)
print('-------------------------------------------')
a=10
print(a)
print(b)

and the output is below

0
0
-------------------------------------------
10
0


The value of 'b' does not get changed even after I assign a=10.

Why there is a different behavior for dictionary