Python Basics Interview Questions

All 74 questions

1. What is Python, and what are its key features?

   Asked in 15 of 281 interviews · last asked Oct 18 · Concept · Junior

   Show answer

   Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language known for readable syntax. It is dynamically typed, manages memory automatically, and is usually run through an interpreter. It supports several programming styles and has a large standard library and many third-party packages.

   • Dynamic typing means types belong to objects, and variable names can refer to objects of different types.
   • Python supports procedural, object-oriented, and functional programming styles.
   • Python runs on major operating systems, though some code and packages depend on the platform.
   • Its libraries support tasks such as web development, automation, data analysis, and machine learning.

   What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you can define Python and explain its main features clearly.

   Other ways it was asked

   • “What is Python?”
   • “What are the features of Python?”
   • “What is the definition of Python?”

2. What is the difference between == and is in Python?

   Asked in 9 of 281 interviews · last asked Oct 15 · Concept · Junior

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   `==` checks whether two objects have equal values. `is` checks whether they are the same object. Use `==` to compare values and `is None` to check for `None`. A single `=` assigns a value; it does not compare values.

   • Two different objects can have equal values.
   • Classes can customize equality with `__eq__`; they cannot customize identity checks.
   • Do not use `is` to compare numbers or strings; object reuse can make results misleading.

   PythonCopy

   a = [1, 2]
   b = [1, 2]
   c = a
   print(a == b)  # True: equal values
   print(a is b)  # False: different objects
   print(a is c)  # True: same object

   What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand value equality, object identity, and when to use each operator.

   Other ways it was asked

   • “What is the difference between `==` and `is` in Python?”
   • “In Python 3, what is the difference between == and is, and when would you use each?”
   • “In Python, what is the difference between = and ==?”

3. What data types are available in Python?

   Asked in 9 of 281 interviews · last asked Sep 30 · Concept · Junior

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   Python has numeric types (`int`, `float`, `complex`), booleans (`bool`), and text (`str`). Its collection types include `list`, `tuple`, `range`, `dict`, `set`, and `frozenset`. Binary types include `bytes`, `bytearray`, and `memoryview`; `None` has type `NoneType` and represents no value.

   • Lists, dictionaries, and sets are mutable: their contents can change.
   • Numbers, strings, and tuples are immutable: they cannot be changed in place.
   • Dictionaries store key-value pairs; sets store unique elements.
   • Python is dynamically typed: a variable can refer to objects of different types.

   What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you know the main built-in types and their basic differences.

   Other ways it was asked

   • “What built-in data types does Python provide?”
   • “Name the data types in Python.”
   • “What are Python data types?”

4. What is a variable in Python?

   Asked in 5 of 281 interviews · last asked Oct 3 · Concept · Junior

   Show answer

   A variable in Python is a name that refers to an object. Assignment binds a name to an object, such as `age = 25`. Objects have types, but a variable can later refer to an object of a different type.

   • Assignment with `=` binds a name to an object.
   • You do not need to declare a variable’s type.
   • Different names can refer to the same object.

   PythonCopy

   age = 25
   print(age)  # 25
   age = "unknown"
   print(age)  # unknown

   What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand names, assignment, and Python’s dynamic typing.

5. What does dynamic typing mean in Python, and how do variables relate to the values they reference?

   Asked in 4 of 281 interviews · last asked Oct 18 · Concept · Junior

   Show answer

   Dynamic typing means Python checks types at runtime, and variable names do not have fixed types. Each name refers to an object, and that object has a type. You can reassign a name to an object of a different type without changing the original object.

   • Types belong to objects, not variable names.
   • Assignment binds a name to an object; it does not automatically copy the object.
   • Dynamic typing does not mean all type combinations are valid; unsupported operations can raise TypeError.

   PythonCopy

   value = 42          # Refers to an integer object.
   value = "hello"     # Now refers to a string object.
   print(type(value))  # <class 'str'>

   What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you distinguish a variable name from the object and type it refers to.

   Other ways it was asked

   • “Why is Python called a dynamically typed language?”
   • “What does dynamically typed mean in Python?”
   • “What does it mean that Python is dynamically typed, and how does a variable's type relate to the value assigned to it?”

6. What are `if`/`else` statements in Python?

   Asked in 3 of 281 interviews · last asked Aug 18 · Concept · Junior

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   Python `if`/`else` statements choose which block of code runs based on a condition. The `if` block runs when the condition is true; the `else` block runs when it is false. You can add `elif` to test more conditions.

   • Python tests conditions in order and runs only the first matching branch.
   • The `else` block is optional and handles cases where no condition matches.
   • Use a colon after each condition or `else`, and indent each block.

   PythonCopy

   age = 20
   if age >= 18:
       print("Adult")
   else:
       print("Under 18")

   What the interviewer checks: The interviewer is checking whether you understand conditional flow and Python's block syntax.

   Other ways it was asked

   • “What are if-else statements in Python?”
   • “How do Python `if`/`else` statements control program flow? Give a simple example.”

7. What is the difference between Java and Python?

   Asked in 3 of 281 interviews · last asked Oct 12 · Concept · Junior

   Other ways it was asked

   • “What is the difference between JavaScript and Python?”
   • “What is the difference between Python and Java?”

8. Can you verbally explain a simple `for` loop that prints the numbers one to five in Python?

   Asked in 2 of 281 interviews · last asked Aug 18 · Write code · Junior

   Other ways it was asked

   • “Can you explain how to write a simple Python for loop that prints the numbers one to five?”
   • “How would you write a Python `for` loop to print the numbers one through five, and what does its syntax mean?”

9. What is the difference between a for loop and a while loop?

   Asked in 2 of 281 interviews · last asked Sep 8 · Concept · Junior

   Other ways it was asked

   • “What is the difference between a while loop and a for loop?”

10. Is indentation required in Python?

    Asked in 2 of 281 interviews · last asked Sep 18 · Concept · Junior

    Other ways it was asked

    • “Is indentation optional in Python, or is it mandatory?”

11. What happens to the remaining statements in the current loop iteration when Python executes `continue`?

    Asked once · last asked Oct 13 · Concept · Junior

12. Why does floating-point error occur, and how can you fix it?

    Asked once · last asked Feb 23 · Concept · Mid-level

13. How should you store monetary values, such as salaries, to avoid precision errors?

    Asked once · last asked Feb 23 · Concept · Mid-level

14. How can you check a condition directly in a Python file without defining a function?

    Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Write code · Junior

15. Can you provide an example of a challenging feature you developed using Python and explain how you approached its design and implementation?

    Asked once · last asked Feb 27 · Behavioral · Mid-level

16. What should you use for rounding monetary values in a Python financial application?

    Asked once · last asked Jun 24 · Concept · Mid-level

17. When should you choose Python over Scala, or Scala over Python?

    Asked once · last asked Jun 24 · Concept · Mid-level

18. What steps does Python take to execute a .py file?

    Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Concept · Mid-level

19. What are the benefits of Python compared with languages such as C++, Java, and Go?

    Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Concept · Junior

20. What results do 1 + 1 in Python and 0.3 + 0.3 in C produce, and how do data types affect them?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 14 · Concept · Junior

21. Please write Python code using a while loop to count down from five to one.

    Asked once · last asked Aug 21 · Write code · Junior

22. Why might you choose Python over C++ despite Python's slower execution speed?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 25 · Concept · Mid-level

23. In a Python `range()` call used to iterate backward through a string, what do the start, stop, and step arguments control?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 26 · Concept · Junior

24. How would you develop the Python skills needed to build enterprise-grade software?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 26 · Behavioral · Mid-level

    Other ways it was asked

    • “How did you develop your Python skills to build enterprise-grade software?”

25. How is casting used in programming, and how is it different from assigning values to a variable?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 27 · Concept · Junior

26. What is the difference between logical AND and bitwise AND in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Oct 23 · Concept · Junior

27. How would you explain the purpose of a Python code snippet and identify potential issues in its logic?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 20 · Write code · Mid-level

28. What does type coercion mean in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Oct 10 · Concept · Junior

29. What is Python, and what is it commonly used for?

    Asked once · last asked Jan 31 · Concept · Junior

30. What data types can be used to store monetary amounts precisely?

    Asked once · last asked Feb 23 · Concept · Junior

    Other ways it was asked

    • “What other data type can be used to store monetary amounts precisely?”

31. How would you write a Python condition to check whether 1 is greater than 0 and print `good`?

    Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Write code · Junior

32. In Python, what syntax comes after an `if` condition before its body?

    Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Concept · Junior

33. How do you check whether a value is `None` in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Feb 24 · Concept · Junior

34. How does the Python interpreter execute code?

    Asked once · last asked Mar 27 · Concept · Junior

    Other ways it was asked

    • “How does the Python engine work?”

35. Explain loops in Python with an example.

    Asked once · last asked Apr 14 · Concept · Junior

36. How do you write and use multiple `elif` conditions in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Apr 15 · Concept · Junior

37. What is the syntax for a Python `for` loop, how do you use the loop variable to print numbers, and how does `range` determine when the loop stops?

    Asked once · last asked Apr 15 · Write code · Junior

38. What kinds of tasks is Python useful for?

    Asked once · last asked Jun 19 · Concept · Junior

39. Can you use floating-point numbers for monetary values?

    Asked once · last asked Jun 24 · Concept · Junior

40. How do you save a Python program?

    Asked once · last asked Jul 16 · Concept · Junior

41. What are Python variables and data types, and how do they work?

    Asked once · last asked Nov 19 · Concept · Junior

42. Write Python code to identify numbers divisible by 5.

    Asked once · last asked Jul 17 · Write code · Junior

43. What are the key differences between major Python versions?

    Asked once · last asked Jul 25 · Concept · Junior

44. How do you print output in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Jul 29 · Concept · Junior

45. What is memory management in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 12 · Concept · Junior

46. Write Python code to generate random numbers.

    Asked once · last asked Aug 12 · Write code · Junior

47. What’s the difference between C and C++ and Python?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 12 · Concept · Junior

48. What is a list in Python, what is an if statement, and how do they differ?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 13 · Concept · Junior

49. Why do we use type hints in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 14 · Concept · Junior

50. What is the result of 1 + 1 in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 14 · Write code · Junior

51. What pitfalls can arise from data types and rounding?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 14 · Concept · Mid-level

52. Can you write Python code to print the numbers from 1 to 7?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 21 · Write code · Junior

53. Can you write Python code using Boolean values?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 21 · Write code · Junior

54. How would you write the even-or-odd program in Spyder with correct Python indentation?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 21 · Write code · Junior

55. How do indentation and code blocks work in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 21 · Concept · Junior

56. Write a Python while loop that prints the word "wrong" until the user enters the number 42.

    Asked once · last asked Aug 21 · Write code · Junior

57. How do you run a Python script from the command prompt?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 26 · Tooling · Junior

58. Is Python a compiled language or an interpreted language?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 27 · Concept · Junior

59. What is a variable in programming?

    Asked once · last asked Aug 27 · Concept · Junior

60. How would you make a Python implementation more efficient?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 3 · Scenario · Mid-level

61. What are the key concepts in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 4 · Concept · Junior

62. Can you explain the Python language?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 7 · Concept · Junior

63. What are conditional statements in Python, and how do you use them?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 8 · Concept · Junior

64. What does the continue statement do in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 8 · Concept · Junior

65. In Python, how would you divide two integers and return an integer result?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 9 · Write code · Junior

66. In Python, why would you use the // operator for division?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 9 · Concept · Junior

67. In Python, how would you print only the integer part of 2.5?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 9 · Write code · Junior

68. Write a Python program to print two numbers.

    Asked once · last asked Sep 17 · Write code · Junior

69. Is response a Python keyword, and can you use a different variable name?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 17 · Concept · Junior

70. What is the difference between the / and // operators in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 18 · Concept · Junior

71. What is a loop in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Sep 30 · Concept · Junior

72. Write Python code to find the sum of two numbers.

    Asked once · last asked Oct 8 · Write code · Junior

73. What happens in Python when you perform an operation on incompatible data types?

    Asked once · last asked Oct 22 · Concept · Junior

74. How does typing work in Python?

    Asked once · last asked Jan 7 · Concept · Junior

More Python interview questions

• All Python interview questions
• Python Data Structures and Coding Interview Questions
• Python Functions, Decorators and Generators Interview Questions
• Python Files, Exceptions and Modules Interview Questions
• Python Data Engineering and Machine Learning Interview Questions
• Python APIs, Web Frameworks and Deployment Interview Questions

How this list is made

Every question here was asked by a real interviewer in a real job interview that a candidate ran MeetAssist in. After the call, the interviewer's questions are pulled from the transcript. Practice sessions, tests, exams and anything that was not a job interview are dropped.

Questions are rewritten so they make sense on their own: names of people, employers and clients are removed, and speech-to-text mistakes are fixed. Small talk, logistics and questions about one candidate's own résumé are left out. Rephrasings of the same question are merged, and the count is the number of different interviews it came up in.

The interviews come from candidates who use MeetAssist, so they lean towards software, data and AI roles: the shares describe these interviews, not every Python interview. Answers to the most asked questions are written and checked by an editor; a "common mistake" is shown only when reviews of real answers in these interviews show it, with the count.

281 interviews, 199 candidates, Nov 2025 to Oct 2026. Updated every month with new interviews.