[Leetcode] Add Two Numbers - References in Python (with C++ Comparisons)
Python variables do not store raw values directly but instead hold references to objects on the heap. This note builds a practical mental model for how references work, how they compare to C++ pointers, and how this affects assignment, mutation, function parameters, copying, and common pitfalls. We include small typed examples and a focused discussion of shallow copies such as a.copy() vs m1.copy() in both flat and nested list cases.
