Record Filter

An easy Python interview practice problem on DataDriven. Write the Python and run it against test cases, with instant feedback.

Domain
Python
Difficulty
easy
Seniority
L3

Problem

Given a list of records (dicts) and a criteria dict, return the records where every key in criteria has a matching value in the record.

Some records belong. Others do not.

Example 1

Input:

records = [{"age":30,"name":"Alice"},{"age":25,"name":"Bob"},{"age":30,"name":"Carol"}], criteria = {"age":30}

Output:

[{"age":30,"name":"Alice"},{"age":30,"name":"Carol"}]

Example 2

Input:

records = [], criteria = {"x":1}

Output:

[]

Worked solution and explanation

Why this problem exists in real interviews

Filtering records by multi-field criteria tests dict comparison and whether you can check all key-value conditions without over-engineering. It is the Python equivalent of a SQL WHERE clause with AND conditions.

Break down the requirements

Step 1: For each record, check all criteria

Every key-value pair in the criteria dict must match the corresponding field in the record.

Step 2: Include the record only if all criteria match

If any criterion fails, skip the record.

The solution

Multi-field filter with all-match check
def filter_records(records, criteria):
    result = []
    for record in records:
        matches = True
        for key in criteria:
            if record.get(key) != criteria[key]:
                matches = False
                break
        if matches:
            result.append(record)
    return result

Common follow-up questions