PCAP-31-03: Understand the Output of dir() and sys.path

Explore a comprehensive explanation of a Python Institute PCAP-31-03 certification exam question involving the dir() function and sys.path. Learn how to determine the expected output and gain a deeper understanding of Python’s built-in functions and modules.

Question

What is the expected output of the following code?

import sys
import math
b1 = type(dir(math)) is list
b2 = type(sys.path) is list
print(b1 and b2)

A. None
B. True
C. 0
D. False

Answer

B. True

Explanation

The code checks if the types of `dir(math)` and `sys.path` are both lists and then prints the result of the logical AND operation between the two boolean values.

1. `dir(math)` returns a list of valid attributes and methods of the `math` module. Therefore, `type(dir(math)) is list` evaluates to `True`.
2. `sys.path` is a list of strings that specifies the search path for modules in Python. Therefore, `type(sys.path) is list` also evaluates to `True`.
3. The `and` operator performs a logical AND operation between the two boolean values `b1` and `b2`. Since both `b1` and `b2` are `True`, the result of `b1 and b2` is also `True`.
4. Finally, the `print()` function outputs the value of `b1 and b2`, which is `True`.

In summary, the code checks if both `dir(math)` and `sys.path` are of type `list` and prints `True` because both conditions are satisfied.

Python Institute PCAP-31-03 certification exam practice question and answer (Q&A) dump with detail explanation and reference available free, helpful to pass the Python Institute PCAP-31-03 exam and earn Python Institute PCAP-31-03 certification.