How would you handle large DataFrames that do not fit into memory using Pandas?

  • Reducing the precision of data
  • Reshaping the DataFrame
  • Splitting the DataFrame into smaller chunks
  • Using the Dask library
When dealing with large DataFrames that do not fit into memory, you can use the Dask library, which allows for distributed computing and can handle larger-than-memory datasets.

How would you analyze the reference count of an object in Python to debug memory issues?

  • Reference count analysis is not relevant for debugging memory issues in Python.
  • Use the gc module to manually increment and decrement the reference count.
  • Utilize the sys.getrefcount() function to inspect the reference count.
  • Write custom code to track object references in your application.
You can use the sys.getrefcount() function to inspect the reference count of an object in Python. It's a built-in way to gather information about an object's reference count. Options 1 and 4 are not recommended practices, and Option 3 is incorrect since reference count analysis is indeed relevant for debugging memory issues.

How does a metaclass differ from a class in Python?

  • A class can be instantiated multiple times.
  • A metaclass can be instantiated multiple times.
  • A metaclass defines the structure of a class, while a class defines the structure of an instance.
  • A metaclass is an instance of a class.
In Python, a metaclass is a class for classes. It defines the structure and behavior of classes, while a regular class defines the structure of instances created from it. A metaclass is used to customize class creation and behavior.

How is a generator function different from a normal function in Python?

  • A generator function is a built-in Python function
  • A generator function is defined using the generator keyword
  • A generator function returns multiple values simultaneously
  • A generator function yields values lazily one at a time
A generator function differs from a normal function in that it uses the yield keyword to yield values lazily one at a time, allowing it to generate values on-the-fly without consuming excessive memory.

How can you detect a cycle in a linked list?

  • Breadth-First Search (BFS)
  • Depth-First Search (DFS)
  • Floyd's Tortoise and Hare Algorithm
  • Linear Search
You can detect a cycle in a linked list using Floyd's Tortoise and Hare Algorithm. This algorithm uses two pointers moving at different speeds to traverse the list. If there's a cycle, the two pointers will eventually meet. It's an efficient O(n) algorithm for cycle detection.

How can you dynamically create a new type (class) at runtime in Python?

  • Using closures
  • Using decorators
  • Using list comprehensions
  • Using metaclasses
You can dynamically create a new type (class) at runtime in Python by using metaclasses. Metaclasses allow you to define the behavior of classes themselves. Decorators are used to modify the behavior of functions or methods, not to create classes. Closures and list comprehensions are not directly related to class creation.

How can you ensure that user-uploaded files in a web application are securely handled when integrating Python back-end with front-end technologies?

  • Allow direct access to uploaded files to improve performance.
  • Implement proper file validation, authentication, and authorization.
  • Store user-uploaded files in a publicly accessible directory.
  • Use third-party services to handle file uploads.
To ensure the secure handling of user-uploaded files, you should implement proper file validation to check file types and content, authentication to ensure that only authorized users can upload files, and authorization to control who can access the files. Storing files in a publicly accessible directory can be a security risk.

In Python, which operator has the highest precedence?

  • * (Multiplication)
  • ** (Exponentiation)
  • + (Addition)
  • / (Division)
In Python, the double asterisk '**' operator, used for exponentiation, has the highest precedence among all operators. It is evaluated before other operators in an expression.

How can you ensure that your optimizations do not introduce errors into a Python program?

  • a) Avoid code reviews to prevent introducing errors.
  • b) Write extensive comments to explain the code.
  • c) Use automated tests and unit tests to verify correctness.
  • d) Optimize without testing as testing can be time-consuming.
To ensure that optimizations do not introduce errors, automated tests and unit tests (c) are crucial. Code reviews (a) are important but are meant for catching issues, not avoiding them altogether. Writing comments (b) is a good practice for code documentation but doesn't ensure correctness. Skipping testing (d) can lead to unforeseen issues, and testing is an essential part of the optimization process.

How can you find the mean of all elements in a NumPy array?

  • array.mean()
  • array.sum() / len(array)
  • np.average(array)
  • np.mean(array)
To find the mean of all elements in a NumPy array, you can use the mean() method of the array itself, like array.mean(). Alternatively, you can use np.mean(array), but the preferred way is to use the method.