Quick Answer
The answer is 18, which represents the total number of characters in the string 'Python programming', including the space between the words. When calculating Python string length, the `len()` function counts every character—letters, spaces, and punctuation—as a single unit, so `len('Python programming')` returns 18 because the string contains 6 letters in "Python", 1 space, and 11 letters in "programming". On the Certified Associate Python Programmer PCAP exam, this tests your understanding that string length includes spaces by default, a common point of confusion where test-takers mistakenly omit the space. The exam often pairs this with `find()` or indexing questions to check if you distinguish between position counting (starting at 0) and length counting (starting at 1). A reliable memory tip: "Spaces are silent but counted—every character adds one to the length."
This PCAP practice question tests your understanding of strings. Read the scenario carefully and evaluate each option against the stated constraints before committing to an answer. After answering, compare your reasoning against the explanation and wrong-answer breakdown below. Once you have made your selection, read the full explanation to reinforce the concept and understand why each distractor is designed to mislead on exam day.
text = " Python programming " result = text.strip() print(len(result))
Refer to the exhibit. What is the output?
text = " Python programming " result = text.strip() print(len(result))
20
Why wrong: That would be the length of the original string with spaces.
18
Correct: after strip, the string length is 18.
17
Why wrong: Incorrect count.
19
Why wrong: Incorrect count.
Answer choices
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
18
The code uses the `find()` method on the string 'Python programming' to locate the substring 'ogr'. The `find()` method returns the lowest index where the substring is found, starting from 0. 'ogr' begins at index 8 (P=0, y=1, t=2, h=3, o=4, n=5, space=6, p=7, r=8, o=9, g=10...), so the output is 8. However, the question shows the code `print(18)`? Wait, the exhibit is missing, but based on the answer being 18, the code likely uses `len()` or slicing. Actually, re-evaluating: the correct answer is 18, which suggests the code prints the length of a string or the result of an expression like `len('Python programming')` which is 18 (including the space). Thus, the output is 18.
Key principle: Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Answer analysis
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
20
Why it's wrong here
That would be the length of the original string with spaces.
18
Why this is correct
Correct: after strip, the string length is 18.
Related concept
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
17
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect count.
19
Why it's wrong here
Incorrect count.
Common exam traps
Python Institute often tests whether candidates remember to count spaces as characters in string length calculations, leading to off-by-one errors like picking 17 instead of 18.
Detailed technical explanation
The `len()` function in Python returns the number of characters in a string, including spaces and punctuation. In the string 'Python programming', there are 6 letters in 'Python', 1 space, and 11 letters in 'programming', totaling 18. This is a fundamental string operation often used in validation or data processing. A subtle behavior is that `len()` counts Unicode characters correctly, but for ASCII strings like this, it's straightforward.
Key takeaway
Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option.
Real-world example
A cloud solutions architect for a retail company is evaluating services for a new workload. The correct answer here reflects best practice for the specific scenario described — not a general cloud recommendation. Answer the scenario, not the keyword: identify the specific constraint before choosing the most familiar-sounding option. Cloud exam questions reward reading the constraint carefully: the same technology can be right or wrong depending on the use case.
What to study next
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FAQ
Strings — This question tests Strings — Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer..
The correct answer is: 18 — The code uses the `find()` method on the string 'Python programming' to locate the substring 'ogr'. The `find()` method returns the lowest index where the substring is found, starting from 0. 'ogr' begins at index 8 (P=0, y=1, t=2, h=3, o=4, n=5, space=6, p=7, r=8, o=9, g=10...), so the output is 8. However, the question shows the code `print(18)`? Wait, the exhibit is missing, but based on the answer being 18, the code likely uses `len()` or slicing. Actually, re-evaluating: the correct answer is 18, which suggests the code prints the length of a string or the result of an expression like `len('Python programming')` which is 18 (including the space). Thus, the output is 18.
Identify which exam domain this question belongs to, review the core concept, then practise similar questions from the same domain.
Read the scenario before looking for a memorised answer.
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Last reviewed: Jun 30, 2026
This PCAP practice question is part of Courseiva's free Python Institute certification practice question bank. Courseiva provides original exam-style practice questions with explanations, topic-based practice, mock exams, readiness tracking, and study analytics to help learners prepare for the PCAP exam.
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