Select the true statements. (Select two answers)
- Python 3 is backwards compatible with Python 2
- Python is a good choice for creating and executing tests for applications
- Python is free, open-source, and multiplatform
- Python is a good choice for low-level programming, e.g., when you want to implement an effective driver
The correct answers are:
- Python is a good choice for creating and executing tests for applications.
- Python is free, open-source, and multiplatform.
Explanation:
1. Python is a good choice for creating and executing tests for applications.
- Why it’s true:
Python is widely used for testing because of its simplicity, readability, and extensive ecosystem of testing frameworks and libraries. Tools likeunittest
,pytest
, andnose
make it easy to write, execute, and manage tests for various types of applications (web, desktop, or mobile). - Advantages for testing:
- Readable Syntax: Python’s easy-to-understand syntax simplifies the process of writing and understanding tests.
- Rich Libraries: Libraries like
pytest
offer powerful features such as fixtures, parameterized tests, and assertions. - Integration: Python integrates seamlessly with CI/CD pipelines and tools for automated testing.
2. Python is free, open-source, and multiplatform.
- Why it’s true:
Python is governed by the Python Software Foundation (PSF) and is distributed under the open-source Python Software License. It is free to download and use for any purpose, including commercial applications. Python is multiplatform, meaning it runs on all major operating systems, including Windows, macOS, Linux, and even embedded systems like Raspberry Pi. - Key Attributes:
- Free: Python can be downloaded and used without cost.
- Open-Source: The source code is available to anyone, allowing customization and contributions from a large community of developers.
- Multiplatform: Python’s portability ensures it runs consistently across different operating systems.
Why the Other Options Are Incorrect:
“Python 3 is backwards compatible with Python 2”:
- Why it’s false:
Python 3 introduced significant changes to the language that broke compatibility with Python 2. For example:print
became a function (print()
) in Python 3, whereas it was a statement in Python 2.- String handling in Python 3 uses Unicode by default, unlike Python 2, which used ASCII.
- Other differences include changes in division operations, libraries, and exception handling.
- Developers often need to rewrite or adapt Python 2 code to make it work in Python 3.
“Python is a good choice for low-level programming, e.g., when you want to implement an effective driver”:
- Why it’s false:
Python is a high-level language and is not designed for low-level programming tasks like writing device drivers or interacting directly with hardware. These tasks require languages like C or C++ because they offer direct memory access, low-level operations, and better performance. - Key limitations:
- Python is slower compared to compiled languages.
- It abstracts hardware details, making it unsuitable for low-level operations.
Conclusion:
The two correct statements are:
- Python is a good choice for creating and executing tests for applications.
- Python is free, open-source, and multiplatform.
Python excels in application testing and is a widely adopted, versatile, and accessible programming language. However, it is not backwards compatible with Python 2 and is unsuitable for low-level programming tasks like writing device drivers.