import numpy

def getArray(obj, out=None):
    array = numpy.asarray(obj)
    if out is None:
        out = array
    else:
        out = numpy.asarray(out)
        out.flat[:] = array
    return out


def test():
    a = numpy.ones(5, dtype='i')
    b = numpy.empty(5, dtype='i')
    c = getArray(a,b)
    print b is b