Top 20 Python Interview Questions & Answers In 2024

Hello, Python Lovers and Followers!

I'm here today to share something that I hope will bring you value, especially if you're preparing for a Python job interview. Python is one of the most popular programming languages today, and it's no surprise that Python knowledge is a sought-after skill in the tech industry. As such, acing a Python interview is a crucial step towards landing that dream job.

I have compiled a list of Twenty Python interview questions that often surprise candidates. These questions move beyond the common queries and delve into more specialized aspects of Python programming. I have also provided detailed answers for each question to aid your understanding. Let's get started!

1. What is the concept of memory management in Python?

Python uses a garbage collector for memory management. Specifically, it employs a technique called reference counting, and to clean up circular references (which reference counting can't handle), it uses a cycle-detecting garbage collector.

2. Explain the use of *args and **kwargs.

*args and **kwargs allow a function to accept optional arguments, so the function can be called with any number of arguments.

3. What are Python generators and how are they different from the regular functions?

Generators in Python are special functions that generate a sequence of values on-the-fly, rather than storing them in memory all at once.

4. What do you mean by duck typing in Python?

Duck Typing is a feature in Python that focuses more on the behavior of a function rather than its class or type of object.

5. How does exception handling work in Python?

Exception handling in Python allows you to handle and recover from runtime errors gracefully. It involves using 'try', 'except', 'else', and 'finally' blocks. The 'try' block contains the code that may raise an exception. If an exception occurs, it is caught by the corresponding 'except' block. The 'else' block executes if no exceptions are raised, and the 'finally' block always executes, regardless of exceptions, allowing for proper resource cleanup.

6. What is the GIL (Global Interpreter Lock) in Python?

The Global Interpreter Lock, or GIL, is a mechanism that prevents multiple native threads from executing Python bytecodes at once. This lock is necessary because CPython's memory management is not thread-safe.

7. What is a generator in Python and how does it differ from a regular function?

A generator is a special type of function that returns an iterable set of items, one at a time, in a special way. Unlike a regular function that returns values once, a generator yields values multiple times, pausing after each, thereby saving memory.

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8. What is a context manager in Python? Can you create your own?

A context manager in Python is an object that defines methods to be used in conjunction with the "with" keyword. Yes, you can create your own context manager by implementing __enter__ and __exit__ methods in your class.

9. How does exception handling work in Python?

In Python, exceptions can be handled using a try/except block. The code that could potentially cause an error goes in the try block. The code that executes if an error happens goes in the except block.

10. What is the difference between __str__ and __repr__?

These are both special methods in Python. __str__ is meant to return a user-friendly string rep __str__ is meant to return a user-friendly string representation of an object, while __repr__ is meant to provide an unambiguous string representation of the object that could be used to reproduce the object. Generally, __repr__ is for developers and __str__ is for end-users.

11. Can you explain the use of yield keyword in Python?

yield is used in Python generators. A generator function is defined like a normal function, but whenever it needs to generate a value, it does so with the yield keyword rather than return. This allows the function to produce a sequence of values over time, rather than computing them all at once and sending them back in a list, for example.

12. What is the difference between deepcopy and copy?

copy performs a shallow copy of an object, meaning it copies the object and its simple data, but not other objects it references. deepcopy, on the other hand, copies an object and every object it references, recursively. This means changes to the original object won't affect the deep copied object.

13. How can you randomize the items of a list in place in Python?

The random. Shuffle function can be used to randomize the items of a list in place in Python.

14. What is pickling and unpickling in Python?

Pickling is the process of serializing Python object structures into byte stream, while unpickling is the reverse operation, converting byte stream back into Python object hierarchy.

15. How can you swap two variables in Python?

In Python, you can swap two variables using tuple unpacking, like this: a, b = b, a.

16. How does break, continue and pass work in Python?

break ends the current loop and resumes execution at the next statement. continue to move the execution to the start of the loop for the next iteration. pass is a null operation — nothing happens when it executes.

17. What is the use of an else statement in loops in Python?

In Python, the else statement in a loop is executed when the loop has finished iterating the list. If the loop ends normally (no break statement encountered), then the else block is run.

18. What is monkey patching in Python?

The technique where you modify or extend the behavior of a module or class at runtime.

19. Tell us about the lambda function in Python and its benefits?

A lambda function is an anonymous function, declared with the lambda keyword. It's beneficial when you need a small function for a short period of time and don't want to define it using the def keyword.

20. Can you explain the use of the zip function in Python?

zip is a built-in function that takes in iterables as arguments and returns an iterator that aggregates elements from each of the iterables. It's useful for looping through multiple lists in parallel.

Conclusion:

As you delve into the realm of Python interviews, armed with knowledge and confidence, remember that preparation is key. These top 20 Python interview questions and answers for 2024 provide a solid foundation to showcase your skills and expertise. However, don't limit yourself to just these questions. You can join us to Learn Python Online Course. Explore additional topics, work on coding exercises, and gain hands-on experience to strengthen your Python prowess.

Embrace the opportunity to demonstrate your problem-solving abilities, logical thinking, and passion for Python. Remember, an interview is not just about answering questions correctly but also about showcasing your ability to apply your knowledge to real-world scenarios.

So, take a deep breath, stay positive, and let your enthusiasm for Python shine through. Good luck with your upcoming interviews, and may you embark on a successful Advanced Python Programming Course journey!