What is the difference between 'is' and '==' in Python?

In Python, the is operator checks whether two variables point to the same object in memory (i.e., it compares object identity). Meanwhile, the == operator checks for value equality of objects, meaning it calls the __eq__ method and compares the contents.

Example:

a = [1, 2, 3]
b = a
c = [1, 2, 3]

print(a is b)  # True, because b is a reference to the same object
print(a == b)  # True, values are equal

print(a is c)  # False, different objects in memory
print(a == c)  # True, list values are the same