#1 most askedVery commonMediumData types & mutability
The mutable default argument trap
🏢 Asked in real interviews
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🔮 Predict the output
def add_item(item, basket=[]):
basket.append(item)
return basket
add_item("apple")
print(add_item("pear"))
🎤 Answer it out loud, then check yourself
Say your answer as if the interviewer is listening (30–90 seconds). Then reveal what a strong answer covers and tick what you said.
def add_item(item, basket=None):
if basket is None:
basket = []
basket.append(item)
return basket
add_item("apple")
print(add_item("pear"))
Answer out loud first, then compare.
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