Lecture 9 — The Python execution model: names, objects, scope and closures

Tue 27 Oct 2026 · Boris Bolliet

TL;DR — A Python name is a label on an object. Assignments, calls, imports and closures bind names. None of them copies an object.

Slides Notes Self-test

Content

1. Names and objects
   • Assignment as binding
   • Identity and equality
   • Mutability and aliasing
   • Aliasing in a loop
   • Views of arrays
2. Calls and scope
   • The call as binding
   • Scopes
3. Functions as objects and closures
   • Functions as objects
   • Closures
   • Late binding
4. Modules and import time
   • Module execution at first import
   • Names bound by import

Exercises with solutions