Python 3.6.5 Documentation >  Cell Objects

Cell Objects
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“Cell” objects are used to implement variables referenced by multiple
scopes. For each such variable, a cell object is created to store the
value; the local variables of each stack frame that references the
value contains a reference to the cells from outer scopes which also
use that variable. When the value is accessed, the value contained in
the cell is used instead of the cell object itself. This de-
referencing of the cell object requires support from the generated
byte-code; these are not automatically de-referenced when accessed.
Cell objects are not likely to be useful elsewhere.

PyCellObject

The C structure used for cell objects.

PyTypeObject PyCell_Type

The type object corresponding to cell objects.

int PyCell_Check(ob)

Return true if *ob* is a cell object; *ob* must not be *NULL*.

PyObject* PyCell_New(PyObject *ob)
*Return value: New reference.*

Create and return a new cell object containing the value *ob*. The
parameter may be *NULL*.

PyObject* PyCell_Get(PyObject *cell)
*Return value: New reference.*

Return the contents of the cell *cell*.

PyObject* PyCell_GET(PyObject *cell)
*Return value: Borrowed reference.*

Return the contents of the cell *cell*, but without checking that
*cell* is non-*NULL* and a cell object.

int PyCell_Set(PyObject *cell, PyObject *value)

Set the contents of the cell object *cell* to *value*. This
releases the reference to any current content of the cell. *value*
may be *NULL*. *cell* must be non-*NULL*; if it is not a cell
object, "-1" will be returned. On success, "0" will be returned.

void PyCell_SET(PyObject *cell, PyObject *value)

Sets the value of the cell object *cell* to *value*. No reference
counts are adjusted, and no checks are made for safety; *cell* must
be non-*NULL* and must be a cell object.