Troubleshooting & Problem Resolution Flashcards

A Python script raises `RecursionError: maximum recursion depth exceeded`. What is the most appropriate fix?

Answer: Add a base case to terminate recursion

A missing or unreachable base case is the root cause of infinite recursion; adding one stops the runaway calls.

You call `int('3.14')` and get a `ValueError`. How do you convert the string '3.14' to an integer correctly?

Answer: int(float('3.14'))

`int()` cannot parse a string containing a decimal point, so you must first convert to float then to int.

A `KeyError` occurs when accessing `my_dict['name']`. Which approach gracefully handles a missing key?

Answer: my_dict.get('name', 'default')

`dict.get(key, default)` returns the default value instead of raising `KeyError` when the key is absent.

Your script produces `IndentationError: unexpected indent`. What is the most likely cause?

Answer: Mixing tabs and spaces in the same block

Python treats tabs and spaces as different characters, so mixing them causes inconsistent indentation levels.

A `TypeError: 'NoneType' object is not subscriptable` appears. What likely happened?

Answer: A function returned None and the result was indexed with []

This error means you tried to use subscript notation on a None value, often from a function that returns nothing explicitly.

The `pdb` debugger is running and you want to step INTO the next function call. Which command do you use?

Answer: s

`s` (step) enters the function being called, whereas `n` (next) executes it and stays in the current frame.

You see `MemoryError` while building a large list. Which technique reduces memory usage most effectively?

Answer: Use a generator expression instead of a list comprehension

Generators yield items one at a time and never store the entire sequence in memory, unlike list comprehensions.