zip() function in Python - Cheat Sheet & Quick Revision

Recall & Review

beginner

What does the zip() function do in Python?

The zip() function takes multiple sequences (like lists or tuples) and pairs their elements together into tuples, creating an iterator of these pairs.

beginner

How does zip() handle sequences of different lengths?

It stops creating pairs when the shortest input sequence is exhausted, so the output length matches the shortest input.

beginner

How can you convert the result of zip() into a list?

You can wrap zip() with list(), like list(zip(seq1, seq2)), to get a list of tuples.

beginner

What will be the output of list(zip([1, 2], ['a', 'b'], [True, False]))?

The output will be [(1, 'a', True), (2, 'b', False)]. Each tuple contains elements from each list at the same position.

intermediate

Can zip() be used to unzip a list of tuples? How?

Yes! Using the unpacking operator *, like zip(*zipped_list), you can separate paired elements back into individual sequences.

What does zip([1, 2, 3], ['a', 'b', 'c']) return when converted to a list?

A [(1, 'a'), (2, 'b'), (3, 'c')]

B [(1, 2, 3), ('a', 'b', 'c')]

C [(1, 'a', 2), ('b', 3, 'c')]

D [(1, 'a'), (2, 'b')]

The zip() pairs elements by position, so it creates tuples of corresponding elements.

If you zip lists of different lengths, what happens?

A It raises an error.

B It ignores the shortest list.

C It pairs elements until the longest list ends, filling missing values with None.

D It pairs elements until the shortest list ends.

The zip() function stops at the shortest input sequence length.

How do you unzip a list of tuples zipped = [(1, 'a'), (2, 'b')]?

A <code>zip(*zipped)</code>

B <code>unzip(zipped)</code>

C <code>zip(zipped*)</code>

D <code>list(zip(zipped))</code>

Using the unpacking operator * with zip() separates the tuples back into individual sequences.

What type does zip() return?

A List

B Iterator

C Tuple

D Dictionary

zip() returns an iterator that produces tuples.

Which of these is a correct way to pair elements from two lists a and b?

A <code>zip(a * b)</code>

B <code>zip(a + b)</code>

C <code>zip(a, b)</code>

D <code>zip(a - b)</code>

The zip() function takes multiple sequences as separate arguments.

Explain how the zip() function works and give an example with two lists.

Think about matching socks from two drawers.

Describe how to unzip a list of tuples created by zip().

Imagine separating pairs back into individual items.