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What issues are present in the following Python code?

🟡 Medium Debugging Junior level
1Times asked
May 2026Last seen
May 2026First seen

💡 Model Answer

The code contains several problems:

  1. Operator mapping is incorrect: the subtraction operator is represented by '.' instead of '-'. This will raise a KeyError or produce wrong results.
  2. The print statement uses the string "12+4=" but calls calc(12,4,'*'), which multiplies instead of adding. The label does not match the operation.
  3. The default argument for add_to_inventory is a mutable list. Each call shares the same list, so items accumulate across calls. This is a classic Python pitfall. The function should use None as the default and create a new list inside the function.
  4. The print statements for add_to_inventory use a leading space before the string, which may be unintended.
  5. The code lacks error handling for division by zero; it raises ZeroDivisionError but does not provide a message.

Fixes:

  • Use '-' for subtraction.
  • Align the print label with the operation.
  • Change the default argument to None and initialize a new list inside the function.
  • Optionally add a message for ZeroDivisionError.

Complexity: The functions run in O(1) time; add_to_inventory is O(1) per call, but the list grows with each call.

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