Python Coding challenge - Day 516| What is the output of the following Python Code?

 

Code Explanation:

Function Definition

def generate_subsets(s, current=""):

Purpose: This function generates all subsets (power set) of a given string s.

s: The remaining string to process.

current: Keeps track of the subset being built so far. Initially, it's an empty string.

Base Case – When the Input String is Empty

    if not s:

        print(current)

        return

Check: If the string s is empty (i.e., all characters have been processed).

Action: Print the current subset formed in the current variable.

Return: End this branch of recursion.

Recursive Case – Include the First Character

    generate_subsets(s[1:], current + s[0])

Include s[0] (the first character of s) in the subset.

Move to the rest of the string s[1:], and add s[0] to current.

This represents the branch where we take the current character.

Recursive Case – Exclude the First Character

    generate_subsets(s[1:], current)

Exclude s[0] from the subset.

Move to the rest of the string s[1:] without adding anything to current.

This represents the branch where we skip the current character.

Example Call

generate_subsets("ab")

Starts generating subsets of "ab":

Include 'a', then include 'b' → 'ab'

Include 'a', then exclude 'b' → 'a'

Exclude 'a', then include 'b' → 'b'

Exclude 'a', then exclude 'b' → '' (empty set)

Final Output

ab

a

b

(empty line representing "")

This is the power set of "ab": ["ab", "a", "b", ""].