What are Python interview questions? As one of the most popular programming languages, Python has become a staple in many tech interviews. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced developer, understanding common Python interview questions can help you prepare for your next job opportunity. In this article, we will explore a variety of Python interview questions that you might encounter during your technical assessment.
1. What is Python and why is it used?
This is a fundamental question that helps the interviewer gauge your understanding of Python. You can explain that Python is a high-level, interpreted, and general-purpose programming language that is known for its simplicity and readability. It is used in various fields, including web development, data science, machine learning, and automation, due to its extensive library support and ease of use.
2. What are the differences between Python 2 and Python 3?
This question assesses your knowledge of Python versions. You can highlight the key differences, such as the removal of the print statement, changes in the integer division, and the introduction of the `print()` function, `int()` and `float()` types, and the `range()` function in Python 3.
3. What is a list in Python, and how is it different from an array in other programming languages?
This question tests your understanding of Python data structures. A list in Python is a dynamic array that can hold elements of different data types, while an array in other languages typically has a fixed size and is used for storing elements of the same data type.
4. What are the differences between shallow copy and deep copy in Python?
This question evaluates your knowledge of object copying in Python. A shallow copy creates a new object and inserts references to the objects found in the original. In contrast, a deep copy creates a new object and recursively inserts copies into it.
5. How do you implement a linked list in Python?
This question assesses your ability to implement basic data structures. You can explain that a linked list is a sequence of nodes, where each node contains a value and a reference to the next node. In Python, you can create a linked list using classes and instances.
6. What is a lambda function in Python, and how is it different from a regular function?
This question tests your understanding of Python functions. A lambda function is an anonymous function defined with the `lambda` keyword, which can have any number of arguments but only one expression. It is different from a regular function because it is defined without a name and cannot contain multiple statements.
7. What is the difference between `__init__()` and `new()` in Python?
This question evaluates your knowledge of object-oriented programming in Python. The `__init__()` method is a special method in Python classes that is called when an object is created, while the `new()` method is not a built-in Python method and is not commonly used.
8. How do you handle exceptions in Python?
This question assesses your understanding of error handling in Python. You can explain that exceptions in Python are handled using the `try` and `except` blocks. The `try` block contains code that may raise an exception, and the `except` block is used to catch and handle the exception.
9. What is the purpose of the `with` statement in Python?
This question evaluates your knowledge of context managers in Python. The `with` statement is used to wrap the execution of a block of code with methods defined by a context manager object. It is commonly used for managing resources like file handling and database connections.
10. What are the differences between `list.append()` and `list.extend()` in Python?
This question tests your understanding of list operations in Python. The `list.append()` method adds a single element to the end of the list, while the `list.extend()` method adds multiple elements from another iterable to the end of the list.
By familiarizing yourself with these Python interview questions, you can better prepare for your technical assessment and demonstrate your knowledge and skills to potential employers.
