What is the exact structural difference between a shallow copy and a deep copy in programming logic?

Question

When manipulating complex nested array objects inside a JavaScript or Python application script why does creating a standard direct variable assignment alter original background data records accidentally?

DevExpert · Answer

A shallow copy creates a new data reference pointer that still points back to the original nested child object memories; modifying a child will alter both variables. A deep copy fully duplicates every single data layer creating completely independent memory blocks.

What is the exact structural difference between a shallow copy and a deep copy in programming logic?

1 Answer(s)

Your Answer