Basic Python Interview Questions You Should Prepare

When you’ve just learned Python, it’s best to start with basic Python interview questions and build from there in complexity. Python is a popular, powerful, easy-to-learn language, so the competition is tough. If you can answer the questions in this article, you’re ready to try your hands at intermediate and advanced Python questions.

If you are preparing for a tech interview, check out our technical interview checklist, interview questions page, and salary negotiation ebook to get interview-ready! Also, read Amazon Coding Interview Questions, Facebook Coding Interview Questions, and Google Coding Interview Questions for specific insights and guidance on Basic Python tech interviews.

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This article focuses on Basic Python interview questions to help you prepare for your next Basic Python interview. Read ahead to learn more!

In this article, we’ll cover:

• Sample Basic Python Interview Questions and Answers
• Top Basic Python Interview Questions for Practice
• Python Interview Questions for Experienced Professionals
• FAQs on Basic Python Interview Questions

Sample Basic Python Interview Questions and Answers

We’ll begin with some sample Basic Python interview questions and answers to get a basic idea of what to expect.

Q1. How can we convert a string to all lowercase or uppercase in Python?

We can use the lower() function to convert a string to all lowercase and the upper() function to convert a string to all uppercase in Python.

Q2. How can we capitalize the first letter of a string?

We can use the capitalize() method to capitalize the first letter of a string in Python.

Q3. What are iterators and generators in Python?

An iterator is an object we can iterate upon/traverse through. A generator is a function whose return value is an iterable set of items.

Q4. What are Python Packages?

Packages in Python are just namespaces that contain several modules.

Q5. What is __init__ in Python?

__init__  is a method or a constructor in Python that all classes have. The __init__ method is automatically called to allocate memory whenever a new object or a class instance is created.

Top Basic Python Interview Questions for Practice

Here are some basic Python interview questions that you can practice. Ensure you can solve them before your interview:

1. Differentiate between the following in the context of Python:

• Lists and tuples
• Local and global variables
• The split(), sub(), and subn() methods of the “re” module
• Arrays and lists
• Deep and shallow copy
• Django, Pyramid, and Flask
• NumPy and SciPy
• Range and Xrange
• Iterators and Generators

2. Define and explain the use of:

• Pep 8
• Namespace
• Python PATH
• Python modules
• Pickling and unpickling
• Self
• A lambda function
• __init__
• Flask
• Inheritance
• Monkey patching
• Docstrings
• Iterators
• Negative indexes
• *args
• **kwargs

3. What do the following functions do in Python:

• The strip() function
• The replace() function
• The map function
• The eval() function
• The min() and max() functions
• The join() function
• The upper() and lower() functions
• The round() function
• The sorted() function
• The reduce() function
• The help() and dir() functions
• The getattr() function
• The split() function

Python Interview Questions for Experienced Professionals

Lastly, here are some basic Python interview questions on the more technical side if you have some experience.

1. What are the key features of Python?
2. What type of language is Python?
3. How is Python an interpreted language?
4. How is memory managed in Python?
5. In Python, how would you generate random numbers?
6. How can we randomize the items of a list in place in Python?
7. How does break, continue and pass work?
8. Describe the usage of n in Python.
9. Is indentation required in Python?
10. How can we install Python on Windows and then set the path variable?
11. Describe the benefits of using NumPy arrays over nested Python lists.
12. Talk about the built-in types in Python.
13. How can we get data from websites with Python web scraping?
14. Talk about the experience you have had for the last few years.
15. How do we use the ternary operators in Python?
16. When Python exits, why isn’t all the memory de-allocated?
17. Is NumPy better than lists?
18. Is Django better than Flask?
19. Discuss Django architecture.
20. Talk about the process of compilation and linking in Python.
21. Write a program to check if a number is prime in Python.
22. How do you calculate percentiles with Python/NumPy?
23. Write a program to produce a star triangle in Python.
24. Write a program to check if a sequence is a Palindrome in Python.
25. How will you get indices of N maximum values in a NumPy array?

We hope that this list of Basic Python interview questions will help you crack your tech interview. To prepare better, practice some mock interviews and read our guide to 12 key preparation tips to crack an interview.

FAQs on Basic Python Interview Questions

Q1. Can I use Python in interviews?

You can use Python in your interviews unless they’re testing you for a specific language skill. Python can help you convey some comprehension and approach checkpoints faster in an interview.

Q2. What are some of the most useful functions in Python?

The most useful functions in Python are min(), max(), print(), abs(), round(), sum(), sorted(), and len().

Q3. What are the four types of functions in Python?

Python’s four types of functions are built-in, lambda, recursion, and user-defined functions.

Q4. What is self in Python?

The self parameter in Python refers to the current instance of the class that helps in accessing variables that belong to that class.

Q5. How do I prepare for a Python interview?

Practice DSA coding questions in Python on paper or whiteboard. Understand and learn how to use OOP principles and generators.

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