as a side note, the ints that are cached (for current versions of Python) are in range(-1, 100)... is this documented somewhere? i know it's subject to change. and as already mentioned, you probably wouldn't use "is" this way in real code... i know you are just reinforcing your learning of the difference between object *value* comparison vs. object *identity* comparison. what you've discovered, however, is important in learning Python... i have material in my intro course and the book dedicated to this subject.
cheers, -- wesley - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - "Core Python Programming", Prentice Hall, (c)2007,2001 http://corepython.com wesley.j.chun :: wescpy-at-gmail.com python training and technical consulting cyberweb.consulting : silicon valley, ca http://cyberwebconsulting.com -- http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/python-list