FPSC- Programmer (BS-17) - PMD High Yield - 2026 — Test 1

Correct Answer: A. It compiles the source to bytecode, which the Python virtual machine then executes
Explanation: A common misconception is that Python has no compilation step. CPython compiles to bytecode (.pyc), which the PVM interprets. ALSO KNOW (related points): • What does a JIT (Just-In-Time) compiler do? → It compiles intermediate code (such as bytecode) into native machine code while the program is running • In standard C++, what happens when an integer is divided by zero (int x = 5 / y; with y == 0)? → Undefined behavior: the standard does not guarantee any exception • Which statement about compiled and interpreted languages is most accurate? → 'Compiled' and 'interpreted' describe implementations, not languages; the same language can have both kinds of implementation

Correct Answer: B. Preprocessing → Compilation → Assembly → Linking
Explanation: #include and macros are expanded first, then the code is compiled to assembly, assembled to object code, and linked. ALSO KNOW (related points): • What does #include <iostream> do in C++? → The preprocessor textually inserts the header's contents before compilation

Correct Answer: C. At link time
Explanation: The compiler accepts the call because the prototype exists. Only the linker discovers that no definition exists. ALSO KNOW (related points): • Which statement about an interpreter is correct? → It translates and executes code statement by statement, so an error on a later line may not be reported until execution reaches it • In a C++ build, which component resolves calls to functions defined in other object files or libraries? → Linker

Correct Answer: C. Logic error
Explanation: Logic errors produce wrong results without any error message. They are the hardest type to detect. ALSO KNOW (related points): • A compiler running on Windows x86 generates executables for an ARM microcontroller. What is it called? → Cross compiler

Correct Answer: A. UnboundLocalError is raised
Explanation: Because x is assigned somewhere in f, Python treats x as local throughout the function. print(x) runs before that local is assigned, which raises UnboundLocalError. ALSO KNOW (related points): • What is the output of this C++ code?: int f(){ static int c = 0; return ++c; }; int main(){ f(); f(); cout << f(); } → 3 • What are the scope and lifetime of a static local variable declared inside a C++ function? → Block scope, but a lifetime equal to the whole program run • What does this Python code print?: a = [1, 2]; b = a; b.append(3); print(a) → [1, 2, 3]

Correct Answer: C. [2, 2, 2]
Explanation: Closures bind late: each lambda looks up i when it is called, and by then i is 2. Writing lambda i=i: i would capture the value at creation instead. ALSO KNOW (related points): • What is the value of an uninitialized local (automatic) int variable in C++? → Indeterminate (garbage); reading it is undefined behavior • Which keyword lets a Python function assign a new value to a module-level variable? → global • What happens if a const int variable is declared in C++ without an initializer (const int k;)? → Compilation error

Correct Answer: B. [1, 2]
Explanation: A default argument is evaluated once, when the function is defined, so the same list is shared across calls. A common fix is to use L=None and create the list inside the function. ALSO KNOW (related points): • What is the value of a global int variable declared without an initializer in C++? → 0 • What does this C++ code print?: int x = 1;; { int x = 2; x++; }; cout << x; → 1 • What does this Python code print?: def outer():; n = 0; def inner():; nonlocal n; n += 1; inner(); inner(); return n; print(outer()) → 2

Correct Answer: D. Undefined behavior
Explanation: The two operands of + are unsequenced relative to each other, and both modify a. That makes the expression undefined behavior, even under C++17. ALSO KNOW (related points): • In C++, what happens with int i = 0; if (i != 0 && 10 / i > 1) {...}? → The condition is false and no division occurs • In C++, what is -7 / 2? → -3 • In C++, what is -7 % 3? → -1 • In C++, what are the values of 6 & 3 and 6 && 3? → 2 and 1 (true) • In C++, what does this print?: int i = 5;; size_t s = sizeof(i++);; cout << i; → 5 • In C++, what is the value of x after int x = (1, 2, 3);? → 3

Correct Answer: D. 4.0
Explanation: 5/2 is evaluated first as integer division and gives 2. Then 2 * 2.0 = 4.0. ALSO KNOW (related points): • In C, what is the value of x after int x = 2 + 3 * 4 % 5;? → 4

Correct Answer: D. -4
Explanation: Python's // is floor division and rounds toward negative infinity. ALSO KNOW (related points): • In Python, what are the values of [1] == [1] and [1] is [1]? → True, False