Top 50 Python Programming Interview Questions and Answers

C & Python Programming Interview Questions

🐍 Top 50 Python Programming Interview Questions and Answers

This section covers the most commonly asked Python interview questions. It's suitable for freshers and experienced candidates appearing for tech interviews.

🔹 Basics

Q1. What is Python?

A high-level, interpreted language known for its simplicity and readability. Widely used in web development, data science, AI, and automation.

Q2. List Python's key features.

  • Interpreted
  • Dynamically typed
  • Object-oriented
  • Extensive libraries

Q3. How is Python interpreted?

Python code is compiled to bytecode, which is then interpreted by the Python Virtual Machine (PVM).

Q4. What are Python's data types?

int, float, str, bool, list, tuple, dict, set, NoneType

Q5. What is the difference between list and tuple?

FeatureListTuple
MutableYesNo
Syntax[]()

Q6. What is PEP 8?

PEP 8 is a style guide for writing clean and readable Python code.

Q7. Explain Python's memory management.

Uses reference counting and garbage collection to manage memory.

Q8. What is the difference between 'is' and '=='

'==' checks value equality, while 'is' checks object identity.

Q9. What are Python namespaces?

They are containers that hold variable names and their values. Types: Local, Global, Built-in.

Q10. What is Pythonpath?

An environment variable that tells Python where to locate modules.

🔹 Control Flow & Functions

Q11. How do you define a function in Python?

def greet(name):
    return "Hello " + name

Q12. What are *args and **kwargs?

*args for variable positional args, **kwargs for variable keyword args.

Q13. What is the difference between 'break', 'continue', and 'pass'?

  • break: Exits the loop
  • continue: Skips the current iteration
  • pass: Does nothing (placeholder)

Q14. What is recursion?

A function calling itself. Needs base condition to avoid infinite loop.

Q15. How is exception handling done in Python?

try:
    x = 1/0
except ZeroDivisionError:
    print("Can't divide by zero")

🔹 OOPs in Python

Q16. What is a class in Python?

A blueprint for creating objects.

Q17. How do you create a class and object?

class Person:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

p = Person("Alice")

Q18. What are the four pillars of OOP?

  • Encapsulation
  • Abstraction
  • Inheritance
  • Polymorphism

Q19. What is inheritance in Python?

Allows a class to inherit properties/methods from another class.

Q20. What are class vs instance variables?

Class variables are shared. Instance variables are unique per object.

🔹 Advanced Topics

Q21. What are Python decorators?

Functions that modify the behavior of another function.

Q22. What are generators?

Functions that yield values using the yield keyword instead of returning all at once.

Q23. What is lambda?

An anonymous function written as: lambda x: x+1

Q24. What are list comprehensions?

squares = [x*x for x in range(10)]

Q25. What is a context manager?

with open("file.txt") as f:
    data = f.read()

🔹 Libraries & Tools

Q26. Popular libraries in Python?

  • NumPy, Pandas (Data)
  • Requests (HTTP)
  • Django, Flask (Web)
  • PyTest (Testing)

Q27. What is virtualenv?

A tool to create isolated Python environments.

Q28. What is pip?

Python package manager to install external libraries.

Q29. How do you install a library?

pip install numpy

Q30. What is __init__.py?

Marks a directory as a Python package.

🔹 Miscellaneous & Practical

Q31. Difference between deep copy and shallow copy?

Shallow copy copies reference, deep copy creates independent object.

Q32. Explain map(), filter(), reduce()

  • map(func, iterable)
  • filter(func, iterable)
  • reduce(func, iterable)

Q33. What is GIL?

Global Interpreter Lock prevents multiple native threads from executing Python bytecodes simultaneously.

Q34. What is Python's pass-by?

Everything is passed by object reference.

Q35. What are Python's magic methods?

Special methods like __init__, __str__, __len__, etc.

🔹 File Handling, Modules, Testing

Q36. How do you read/write files?

with open("file.txt", "r") as f:
    data = f.read()

Q37. What is the difference between import and from-import?

import module vs from module import func

Q38. What is __main__ in Python?

To allow or prevent parts of code from being run on import.

Q39. What is unit testing?

Testing individual components using frameworks like unittest or pytest

Q40. How to handle JSON data in Python?

import json
json_data = json.loads(json_string)

🔹 Final 10 Quick Questions

  • Q41: What is monkey patching?
  • Q42: Difference between xrange() and range()? (Python 2 vs 3)
  • Q43: What is slicing in Python?
  • Q44: How is memory managed in Python?
  • Q45: Difference between 'is' vs '==' again?
  • Q46: What is a lambda function?
  • Q47: How do you reverse a list?
  • Q48: What is a docstring?
  • Q49: What is the use of zip()?
  • Q50: What is Pythonic code?
Tip: Practice these questions along with real-world problems on LeetCode, HackerRank, or Python Exercises from w3resource!

🚀 All the best! Let me know if you'd like a downloadable PDF or practice set with answers.

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