SeasonalShot
SeasonalShot

Reputation: 2589

Python: Append a list to the same list

I am having a very basic doubt. Consider the following example:

Case 1:

a=[1,2,3]
b=[4,5,6]
a.append(b) #print a will give [1,2,3,4,5,6]

Case 2:

a=[1,2,3]
a.append(a) # print a gives [1,2,3,...]

I understand the .append in python appends the values of the variable to the end of the variable it's appended to. However, i don't understand the behavior of the '...' in the Case 2.

Upvotes: 6

Views: 1227

Answers (1)

HelloWorld
HelloWorld

Reputation: 1863

The dots indicate that a list contains a reference to itself. It just avoids an infinite recursion during the print.

Upvotes: 6

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