Lists are the first data structure you learn in Python. They are also the source of the most...
Lists are the first data structure you learn in Python. They are also the source of the most interview mistakes. These five problems test list behavior that most developers misunderstand until they get it wrong under pressure.
Work through each one before reading the answer.
Problem 1: The Slice That Does Nothing
a = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]
b = a[:]
It almost looks as if Python somehow 'links' variables together. But that's not what's happening.
List comprehensions confuse beginners because they read backwards from how most people think about...
Everyone "knows Python." Far fewer can explain why a = a + [1] and a += [1] aren't the same thing....
List comprehensions confuse beginners not because they are complex but because they are written in...
Python is famous for its readability, but there’s a big gap between “working code” and “elegant,...
This is one of the most commonly misused Python features and it fails silently, which makes it...
