This brings up an interesting point (at least to me).

The default behavior for parameter passing is by value unless specified. What happens when you pass an object to a function in the () like:
something = myfunc(myobject)

Is myobject passed by reference and therefore all the changes I make to it are reflected in the passed copy? Or do I have to explicitly pass it by reference using the @? Or do I have to return it after the changes are made?
myobject = myfunc(myobject) will effectively remake the object.