PCAP Certification-Certified Associate in Python Programming

1. What is the main purpose of the input() function in Python?

# Correct answer: input() function reads a line from input and returns it as a string.
user_input = input("Enter your name: ")
print(f"Hello, {user_input}!")

2. How do you convert a string to uppercase in Python?

# Correct answer: Using the `upper()` method.
my_string = "hello world"
print(my_string.upper())  # Outputs: HELLO WORLD

3. What function would you use to append an element to a list in Python?

# Correct answer: Using the `append()` method of the list object.
my_list = [1, 2, 3]
my_list.append(4)
print(my_list)  # Outputs: [1, 2, 3, 4]

4. Which method would you use to sort a list in Python?

# Correct answer: Using the `sort()` method of the list object.
my_list = [5, 2, 9, 4, 7]
my_list.sort()
print(my_list)  # Outputs: [2, 4, 5, 7, 9]

5. What is the difference between a package and a module in Python?

# A package is a directory containing both __init__.py and a file named __package__.py (which can be empty), allowing for importing of its contents without having to specify the sub-package level (e.g., import mypkg.subpkg). Modules are files containing Python definitions such as functions or classes.

6. What is the purpose of the __init__.py file in a package?

# The __init__.py file signals to Python that the directory should be treated as a package, and thus makes all of its contents available for import. This can also be an empty file or even just a blank line within it.

7. Explain the concept of inheritance in Python with examples.

# Inheritance allows a class to inherit attributes and methods from another class, called the parent or superclass.

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

    def greet(self):
        return f"Hello, {self.name}"

class Child(Parent):  # Child class inherits from Parent
    def __init__(self, name, favorite_color):
        super().__init__(name)  # Call Parent's __init__ method
        self.favorite_color = favorite_color

    def favorite_greeting(self):
        return f"{Parent.greet(self)} and my favorite color is {self.favorite_color}."

child_instance = Child("Alice", "blue")
print(child_instance.greet())  # Outputs: Hello, Alice
print(child_instance.favorite_greeting())  # Outputs: Hello, Alice and my favorite color is blue.

8. What is the purpose of the print() function in Python?

# Correct answer: The `print()` function displays a line of output to the terminal window (or other standard output destination). By default, it ends the line with a newline character and adds a space between objects unless at least one of them is a string type.

print("Hello, Python world!")

9. How would you convert a list to a dictionary in Python where the list contains tuples?

# Correct answer: Using a dictionary comprehension or the `zip()` function along with the `dict()` constructor.

my_list = [("a", 1), ("b", 2), ("c", 3)]
my_dict = dict(my_list)
print(my_dict)  # Outputs: {'a': 1, 'b': 2, 'c': 3}

10. What is the purpose of exception handling in Python using try, except, else, and finally blocks?

# Exception handling allows you to write code that can gracefully handle errors (exceptions) without crashing the entire program. It involves catching exceptions, providing alternative code to run, and cleaning up resources regardless of an exception occurring.

try:
    result = 10 / 0
except ZeroDivisionError as e:
    print("Zero division error caught:", e)
else:
    print("Result without error:", result)
finally:
    print("This block will always execute, regardless of the exception handling outcome.")

These questions and answers are representative of the types of knowledge you would need for the PCAP-31-02 exam. Remember to practice with real exam questions and to understand the Python documentation for more detailed explanations of each concept.