Is String immutable in Python?

Question

I have a question regarding String concept in Python. From my understanding Strings are an immutable part of the language. For instance:

a = 'Emiliano'
a[0] = 'r'
print(a)

Result:

Type Error: 'str' object does not support item assignment

So, I know that I need to create another variable, but why in the following case doesn't Python retrieve any error if I am changing the whole string of the variable?

a = 'Emiliano'
a = 'David'
print(a)

Result: David

you aren't changing anything in existing string "Emiliano", while you are just reassigning the reference of string to another object. — SMA, Apr 14 '18 at 12:55

shahaf · Answer 1 · 2018-04-14T12:58:16.117

1

it's assignment, a point to the memory where Emiliano is, so a=some other string it just change the place where a point to

changing strings is mostly done by copy the origin string and manipulate the copy process, thus returning a new string object

edited Apr 14 '18 at 12:58

answered Apr 14 '18 at 12:55

shahaf

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@vaultah I'm talking about other methods that do manipulate strings like `replace` and such... – shahaf Apr 14 '18 at 12:59
Thank you very much – emiliano gramajo Apr 23 '18 at 14:59

Is String immutable in Python?

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