PCEP Computer Programming and Python Fundamentals Practice Question
A developer writes: print('Hello' + 5). What is the result?
⚠ Common exam trap
This exact scenario tests whether candidates understand that Python does not implicitly convert an integer to a string for concatenation, unlike loosely-typed languages.
Answer choices
Why each option matters
Answer the question above first, then reveal the full breakdown to understand why each option is right or wrong.
Correct answer & explanation
✓
TypeError
In Python, the + operator performs string concatenation only when both operands are strings. Attempting to concatenate a string ('Hello') with an integer (5) raises a TypeError because Python does not implicitly convert the integer to a string for concatenation. This is a fundamental type safety feature of the language.
Answer analysis
Option-by-option breakdown
For each option: why learners choose it and why it is or isn't the right answer here.
- ✗
Hello 5
Why it's wrong here
Concatenating a string and an integer raises a TypeError, so nothing is printed; Python does not coerce the int to text. It tempts because print() accepts multiple comma-separated arguments and renders them space-separated, which is how 'Hello 5' is actually produced.
- ✓
TypeError
Why this is correct
Python's + operator on str requires both operands to be str; concatenating a str with an int raises TypeError rather than coercing the integer, because Python is strongly typed and defines no implicit int-to-str conversion for this operation.
- ✗
SyntaxError
Why it's wrong here
A SyntaxError arises when code violates Python's grammar, but `print('Hello' + 5)` parses cleanly — the failure occurs at runtime, when the `+` operator finds no valid concatenation between `str` and `int`. SyntaxError is tempting because mixing types feels like malformed code, and it would be correct for genuinely invalid syntax such as `print('Hello' 5)`.
- ✗
Hello5
Why it's wrong here
Python raises a TypeError because the + operator cannot concatenate str and int; it does not coerce the integer. The option tempts those expecting implicit conversion, as seen in JavaScript or Java's string concatenation. Explicit conversion, such as str(5) or an f-string, would produce "Hello5".
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