Essential Python Interview Questions and Answers

Updated 3 July 2026 · Intervuz

Introduction

Python has become one of the most popular programming languages, especially in fields like data science, web development, and automation. As a result, many job seekers need to prepare for interviews that assess their Python skills. This article covers some of the top Python interview questions along with detailed answers to help you prepare effectively.

1. What are Python's built-in data types?

Python provides several built-in data types, which can be categorized as follows:

• Numeric: Includes integers (int), floating-point numbers (float), and complex numbers (complex).
• Sequence: Tuple, list, and range.
• Text: String (str).
• Mapping: Dictionary (dict).
• Set: Set and frozenset.
• Boolean: True or False values.
• Binary: Bytes, bytearray, and memoryview.

2. What is a Python list comprehension?

A list comprehension is a concise way to create lists in Python. It consists of brackets containing an expression followed by a for clause, and can include optional if clauses to filter items.

For example:

squared_numbers = [x**2 for x in range(10)]

This will create a list of squared numbers from 0 to 9.

3. Explain the difference between a list and a tuple.

Both lists and tuples are used to store collections of items, but they have some key differences:

• Mutability: Lists are mutable (can be changed), while tuples are immutable (cannot be changed).
• Syntax: Lists are defined with square brackets [], while tuples are defined with parentheses ().
• Performance: Tuples are generally faster than lists due to their immutability.

4. What is a lambda function in Python?

A lambda function is an anonymous function expressed as a single statement. It can take any number of arguments but can only have one expression. The syntax is:

lambda arguments: expression

For example, a simple lambda function that adds two numbers can be defined as:

add = lambda x, y: x + y

5. What are decorators in Python?

Decorators are a way to modify or enhance functions or methods without changing their code. They are often used to add functionality, such as logging or access control. A decorator is typically defined as a function that takes another function as an argument and returns a new function.

Example:

def my_decorator(func):
    def wrapper():
        print("Something is happening before the function.")
        func()
        print("Something is happening after the function.")
    return wrapper

6. What is the purpose of the 'self' keyword in Python?

The 'self' keyword in Python is used to represent the instance of the class. It allows access to the attributes and methods of the class in Python. 'self' must be the first parameter of any function defined within a class.

7. How do you handle exceptions in Python?

Exceptions in Python can be handled using try and except blocks. The code that may raise an exception is placed inside the try block, and the code that handles the exception is placed inside the except block.

Example:

try:
    result = 10 / 0
except ZeroDivisionError:
    print("Cannot divide by zero!")

8. What is the difference between deep copy and shallow copy?

A shallow copy creates a new object but inserts references into it to the objects found in the original. A deep copy creates a new object and recursively adds copies of nested objects found in the original.

To create a shallow copy, you can use the copy() method, while a deep copy can be created using the copy.deepcopy() method from the copy module.

Conclusion

Preparing for a Python interview requires understanding both theoretical concepts and practical applications. Practicing coding questions and scenarios is crucial. Use Intervuz to practice out loud with Vika, our AI interviewer, to enhance your interview skills and boost your confidence.