What is the expected output of the following code? ``python x = '\\' print(len(x)) ``

Question

x = '\\'
print(len(x))

Options

• A0
• B1
• CThe code is erroneous.
• D2

• A
  16% (4)
• B
  76% (19)
• C
  4% (1)
• D
  4% (1)

Explanation

Option B is correct because '\\' is a Python string containing exactly one character - a literal backslash. The \\ is an escape sequence: the first \ signals "escape the next character," and the second \ is the character being escaped, resulting in a single \ stored in memory. So len(x) evaluates to 1.

Why the distractors are wrong:

• A (0): The string is not empty - it holds one character. An empty string '' would give len() of 0.
• C (erroneous): The syntax is perfectly valid Python; \\ is a well-defined escape sequence.
• D (2): The most common trap - it counts the source characters (\ and \) rather than the runtime value. Escape sequences are resolved when the string is created, so only one character exists at runtime.

Memory tip: Think of escape sequences as collapsing pairs - \\ is two characters in your code, but Python "collapses" them into one actual character. When in doubt, mentally count the backslashes after escaping, not before.

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