Basics

Python Tuples

Working with Python Tuples

Python tuples are immutable, supporting unpacking and slicing.

What are Python Tuples?

Tuples are a core data structure in Python, similar to lists but with a key distinction: they are immutable. This means once a tuple is created, its elements cannot be changed, added, or removed. Tuples are defined by enclosing elements in parentheses (), separated by commas.

Why Use Tuples?

Tuples are used when you need a collection of items that should not change throughout the program. They can be used as keys in dictionaries, unlike lists, due to their immutability. Tuples also consume less memory, making them more efficient for storing large collections of constants.

Tuple Unpacking

One of the powerful features of tuples is the ability to unpack values. This allows you to assign each item in a tuple to a variable in a single statement.

Accessing Tuple Elements

Just like lists, you can access elements in a tuple using indexing. Python supports both positive and negative indexing.

Slicing Tuples

Tuples can be sliced to access a range of elements. Slicing returns a new tuple with the selected elements.

Tuple Methods

Although tuples do not have many methods because of their immutability, they do support two useful methods: count() and index().

Conclusion

Tuples are an essential part of Python's data structures, offering immutability, efficiency, and utility in various scenarios. Understanding how to leverage tuples can enhance the performance and reliability of your Python applications.

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