Culture Easy

Where does the name "Python" come from?

  • The snake species.

  • The BBC comedy show Monty Python's Flying Circus.

  • Guido van Rossum's pet.

  • A contraction of "Pythagoras".

Answer

Guido van Rossum named the language after Monty Python's Flying Circus, not the snake.

Who created the Python programming language?

  • Linus Torvalds.

  • Dennis Ritchie.

  • Guido van Rossum.

  • James Gosling.

Answer

Guido van Rossum started Python in late 1989 and released the first version in 1991.

In what year was Python first released?

Answer

Guido van Rossum published the first release of Python in 1991.

What is the standard file extension for Python source files?

  • .pt

  • .pyt

  • .py

  • .python

Answer

Python source files use the .py extension.

Which major version of Python is actively supported today?

  • Python 1.

  • Python 2.

  • Python 3.

  • Python 5.

Answer

Python 3 is the current, supported line. Python 2 reached end of life on January 1, 2020.

What is the name of Python's official third-party package repository?

  • npm.

  • PyPI.

  • PythonHouse.

  • CRAN.

Answer

PyPI, the Python Package Index, hosts the third-party packages you install with pip. npm belongs to Node.js and CRAN to R; "PythonHouse" is not a real thing.

What command do you normally use to install a third-party Python package?

  • python get

  • apt install

  • pip install

  • import

Answer

pip install <package> downloads a package from PyPI and installs it into your environment.

What is the official website for the Python language?

  • python.com

  • getpython.io

  • python.org

  • python.dev

Answer

python.org is the official home of Python: downloads, documentation, and the news that surrounds the language.

Which organization stewards the Python language today?

  • The Linux Foundation.

  • The Python Software Foundation (PSF).

  • Oracle.

  • The Free Software Foundation.

Answer

The Python Software Foundation (PSF) is the non-profit that holds the intellectual property and supports the Python community.

What is the default prompt of Python's interactive interpreter?

  • $

  • >>>

  • #

  • py>

Answer

The Python REPL prompts you with >>> for each new statement.

What does Python's logo depict?

  • A single coiled snake.

  • Two intertwined snakes.

  • A circus tent.

  • A blue elephant.

Answer

The modern Python logo shows two stylized, intertwined snakes in blue and yellow.

How does Python group blocks of code?

  • With begin and end keywords.

  • With curly braces { }.

  • With indentation.

  • With parentheses ( ).

Answer

Python uses indentation (leading whitespace) to define blocks, instead of braces or keywords.

Is Python case-sensitive?

  • No, Name and name are the same.

  • Yes, Name and name are different.

  • Only inside functions.

  • Only for built-in names.

Answer

Python is case-sensitive: Name, name, and NAME are three different identifiers.

Python is best described as which kind of language?

  • A markup language.

  • A language that must be compiled to a standalone .exe before running.

  • An interpreted, high-level language.

  • A hardware description language.

Answer

Python is a high-level, interpreted language: you run source files directly without a separate compile step.

How is typing handled in Python?

  • You must declare every variable's type.

  • Variables are dynamically typed.

  • Every variable is a string until converted.

  • Types cannot change once assigned.

Answer

Python is dynamically typed: a variable takes the type of whatever value you assign to it, and that can change over time.

What does the print() function do?

  • Sends the text to the printer.

  • Writes its arguments to standard output.

  • Saves the text to a file.

  • Returns the text without showing it.

Answer

print() writes its arguments to standard output (normally the screen), separated by spaces and followed by a newline.

What is the name of the largest annual community Python conference?

  • PyDay.

  • SnakeConf.

  • PyCon.

  • DjangoCon.

Answer

PyCon is the flagship community conference for Python, held in many countries around the world.

What does this program print?

print("Hello, world!")

  • Hello world

  • Hello, world!

  • "Hello, world!"

  • Nothing.

Answer

print writes its argument to the screen exactly, including the comma and exclamation mark.

Which statement about Python's licensing is true?

  • It is proprietary and closed source.

  • It requires a paid license for commercial use.

  • It is free and open source.

  • It can only be used for education.

Answer

Python is free and open source, developed openly by the Python Software Foundation and a global community.