What is the difference between a list and a string?

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BlackTom AI · Accepted Answer

Question: What is the difference between a list and a string?

Option 1: 'lists are sequences but strings are not and therefore you cannot access a string element using []' This is incorrect because both lists and strings are sequences in most programming languages (e.g., Python), and both support indexing with [] to access elements or characters. The claim that strings are not sequences and cannot be indexed is false.

Option 2: 'lists are immutable, but strings can be changed' This statement mixes up mutability. In Python, lists are mutable (you can change, append, or remove elements), while strings are immutable (you cannot modify a string in place; you would create a new string if you want changes). The option states the opposite for lists and incorrectly describes strings, so it is inaccurate.

Option 3: 'lists can hold values of any type, whereas strings are only sequences of characters' This is accurate. Python lists can store mixed types (e.g., numbers, strings, objects) within the same list, whereas a string is a sequence of characters. The difference hinges on the types stored and how the container is used. This option correctly captures a fundamental distinction between lists and strings.

Option 4: 'elements in a list can be accessed using an integer as the index value, but strings can use any numeric data type for the index' This is incorrect. In languages like Python, both lists and strings are indexed with integers (or slices). Using a non-integer numeric type (like a float) as an index is typically invalid, so the assertion that strings can use any numeric type is false and misleading.

Summary: Option 3 accurately describes the essential difference between lists and strings by highlighting the ability of lists to hold values of any type versus strings being sequences of characters. The other options contain misconceptions about sequence status, mutability, indexing rules, or type capabilities that do not align with common programming language semantics.

Fal25_CS003C_74229 Ch. 6 Pre-Quiz (Remotely Proctored)

What is the difference between a list and a string?

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