Docstrings and documentation in Python - Practice Problems & Coding Challenges

Challenge - 5 Problems

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Output of a function with a docstring

What is the output of this code when calling greet('Alice')?

Python

def greet(name):
    """Return a greeting message for the given name."""
    return f"Hello, {name}!"

print(greet('Alice'))

A None

B greet

C Hello, Alice!

D Hello, name!

💡 Hint

The function returns a formatted string using the input name.

The function greet returns the string 'Hello, Alice!' when called with 'Alice'. The docstring does not affect the output.

❓ Predict Output

intermediate

Accessing a function's docstring

What will be printed by this code?

Python

def add(a, b):
    '''Add two numbers and return the result.'''
    return a + b

print(add.__doc__)

A SyntaxError

B add

C None

D Add two numbers and return the result.

💡 Hint

The __doc__ attribute holds the function's docstring.

The __doc__ attribute returns the string inside the triple quotes of the function definition.

❓ Predict Output

advanced

Docstring effect on function behavior

What is the output of this code?

Python

def multiply(x, y):
    '''Multiply two numbers.'''
    result = x * y

print(multiply(3, 4))

A None

B 12

C Multiply two numbers.

D TypeError

💡 Hint

Check if the function returns a value.

The function does not return anything explicitly, so it returns None by default.

🧠 Conceptual

advanced

Purpose of docstrings in Python

Which of the following best describes the main purpose of a docstring in Python?

A To store variables inside the function.

B To document what a function, class, or module does for users and developers.

C To improve the speed of the program.

D To execute code inside the triple quotes.

💡 Hint

Docstrings are meant for explaining code, not running it.

Docstrings provide helpful explanations about code to anyone reading or using it.

❓ Predict Output

expert

Docstring and help() function output

What will be the first line printed by help(divide) for this function?

Python

def divide(a, b):
    '''Divide a by b and return the result.'''
    if b == 0:
        raise ValueError("Cannot divide by zero")
    return a / b

A Help on function divide in module __main__:

B Divide a by b and return the result.

C Traceback (most recent call last):

D None

💡 Hint

The help() function prints a header line before the docstring.

The first line printed by help() shows the function signature and location before the docstring.