Python Coding challenge - Day 202 | What is the output of the following Python Code?

 

Code:

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

a, *_, b = x

print(a, b)

Solution and Explanation:

Let's break down the Python code step by step:

x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

a, *_, b = x

print(a, b)

List Assignment: x = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

This line initializes a list named x with five elements: [1, 2, 3, 4, 5].

Extended Unpacking: a, *_, b = x

This line uses extended unpacking to assign values from the list x to variables a and b, while ignoring the rest of the elements.

The * (asterisk) operator is used to capture multiple values into a list. In this case, * is followed by an underscore (_), which is a common convention in Python to indicate that the variable is a placeholder and its value is not used.

The first element of x is assigned to a, and the last element is assigned to b, while all other elements are captured by the _ variable (which is ignored).

Print Statement: print(a, b)

This line prints the values of variables a and b separated by a space.

So, what does this code output?

a will be assigned the value 1, which is the first element of the list x.

b will be assigned the value 5, which is the last element of the list x.

The other elements of the list x are captured by the _ variable, but since they are not used in the print statement, they are ignored.

Therefore, the output of the code will be:

1 5