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Why is using a mutable default argument dangerous?

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01

Understand the problem

Explain the mutable default pitfall.

mutable-default
02

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03

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Default arguments are evaluated once at function definition, so a def f(x, acc=[]) shares the same list across all calls — accumulating unexpectedly. The fix: default to None and create a fresh object inside: acc = acc if acc is not None else [].

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04

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PYThe bug, then the None-sentinel fix
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