Functions and Modules Flashcards

What is a recursive function?

Answer: A function that calls itself

A recursive function is one that calls itself, with a base case to terminate the recursion.

What does `functools.wraps` do when used in a decorator?

Answer: Preserves the original function's metadata

`functools.wraps` copies the original function's `__name__`, `__doc__`, etc. to the wrapper function.

What is the `nonlocal` keyword used for?

Answer: Referring to a variable in the nearest enclosing non-global scope

`nonlocal` allows an inner function to modify a variable in the nearest enclosing scope (not global).

Which built-in function filters elements of an iterable based on a function?

Answer: filter()

`filter()` returns an iterator of elements for which the function returns True.

What does `__all__` in a module control?

Answer: Which names are exported when `from module import *` is used

`__all__` is a list that defines the public interface of a module for wildcard imports.

What is the difference between a `return` and `yield` in a function?

Answer: `return` exits the function; `yield` pauses and resumes it

`return` terminates the function entirely while `yield` suspends it and can resume on the next call.