shallowcopy

Shallow copy is a method of object duplication where a new object is created that contains references to the same elements as the original object. This means that while the new object itself is distinct, any mutable objects contained within it are shared with the original. Changes made to these shared mutable elements through either the original or the shallow copy will be reflected in both.

The concept of shallow copy is often contrasted with deep copy. In a deep copy, not only is a new object created, but all objects contained within it are also recursively copied. This ensures that the new object and its contents are entirely independent of the original.

Shallow copying is generally faster and consumes less memory than deep copying because it avoids the overhead of duplicating nested objects. It is suitable when you need a new container but are fine with sharing the inner mutable objects, or when the contained objects are immutable.

Many programming languages provide built-in mechanisms for shallow copying. For instance, in Python, the `copy.copy()` function performs a shallow copy. Slicing lists or dictionaries often results in a shallow copy as well. Understanding the difference between shallow and deep copies is crucial for managing object state and avoiding unintended side effects in programs. When working with mutable data structures, careful consideration of which type of copy is appropriate is essential for program correctness.