Python Coding Challange - Question with Answer (01160725)

 

Step-by-Step Explanation

1. Create list a:

   
   a = [1, 2, 3]

   • A list a is created with elements 1, 2, and 3.

2. Create list b using slicing:

   
   b = a[:]

   • This creates a shallow copy of list a.

   • b now holds a separate copy of the list [1, 2, 3].

   • So now:

     a = [1, 2, 3] 
     b = [1, 2, 3]

3. Modify b using .append(4):

   
   b.append(4)

   • The number 4 is added only to list b, not a.

   • Now:

     • a = [1, 2, 3] (unchanged)

     • b = [1, 2, 3, 4] (modified)

4. Print list a:

   
   print(a)

   • This prints:

     [1, 2, 3]

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✅ Output:

[1, 2, 3]

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Key Concept:

• a[:] creates a new list object (a shallow copy).

• Changes made to b do not affect a.

• If you had written b = a instead, then a would have been affected.

500 Days Python Coding Challenges with Explanation