Basic Python Interview Questions

These are some of the questions you might encounter during an entry-level Python interview.

Lists and tuples are fundamental Python data structures with distinct characteristics and use cases.

List:

 Mutable: Elements can be changed after creation.

 Memory Usage: Consumes more memory.

 Performance: Slower iteration compared to tuples but better for insertion and deletion
operations.

 Methods: Offers various built-in methods for manipulation.

Example:

a_list = ["Data", "Camp", "Tutorial"]

a_list.append("Session")

print(a_list) # Output: ['Data', 'Camp', 'Tutorial', 'Session']

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Tuple:

 Immutable: Elements cannot be changed after creation.

 Memory Usage: Consumes less memory.

 Performance: Faster iteration compared to lists but lacks the flexibility of lists.

 Methods: Limited built-in methods.

Example:

a_tuple = ("Data", "Camp", "Tutorial")

print(a_tuple) # Output: ('Data', 'Camp', 'Tutorial')

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Learn more in our Python Lists tutorial.

2. What is __init__() in Python?

The __init__() method is known as a constructor in object-oriented programming (OOP) terminology.

It is used to initialize an object's state when it is created. This method is automatically called when a
new instance of a class is instantiated.

Purpose:

 Assign values to object properties.

 Perform any initialization operations.

Example:
We have created a `book_shop` class and added the constructor and `book()` function. The
constructor will store the book title name and the `book()` function will print the book name.

To test our code we have initialized the `b` object with “Sandman” and executed the `book()`
function.

class book_shop:

# constructor

def __init__(self, title):

self.title = title

# Sample method

def book(self):

print('The tile of the book is', self.title)

b = book_shop('Sandman')

b.book()

# The tile of the book is Sandman

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3. What is the difference between a mutable data type and an immutable data type?

Mutable data types:

 Definition: Mutable data types are those that can be modified after their creation.

 Examples: List, Dictionary, Set.

 Characteristics: Elements can be added, removed, or changed.

 Use Case: Suitable for collections of items where frequent updates are needed.

Example:

# List Example

a_list = [1, 2, 3]

a_list.append(4)

print(a_list) # Output: [1, 2, 3, 4]

# Dictionary Example
a_dict = {'a': 1, 'b': 2}

a_dict['c'] = 3

print(a_dict) # Output: {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}

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Immutable data types:

 Definition: Immutable data types are those that cannot be modified after their creation.

 Examples: Numeric (int, float), String, Tuple.

 Characteristics: Elements cannot be changed once set; any operation that appears to modify
an immutable object will create a new object.

Example:

# Numeric Example

a_num = 10

a_num = 20 # Creates a new integer object

print(a_num) # Output: 20

# String Example

a_str = "hello"

a_str = "world" # Creates a new string object

print(a_str) # Output: world

# Tuple Example

a_tuple = (1, 2, 3)

# a_tuple[0] = 4 # This will raise a TypeError

print(a_tuple) # Output: (1, 2, 3)