Django

Tuples

Tuples in Python: Immutable Collections You Can Rely On

In Python, a tuple is a collection data type that groups multiple values together. Tuples are similar to lists but with one key difference: tuples are immutable, meaning once you create them, you cannot change their content.

What Is a Tuple?

  • An ordered collection of elements.

  • Elements can be of any type: numbers, strings, objects, even mixed types.

  • Defined using parentheses ( ) or sometimes just commas.

  • Immutable: no adding, removing, or changing elements after creation.

Creating Tuples

python
# Using parentheses
my_tuple = (1, 2, 3)

# Without parentheses (comma-separated)
another_tuple = 4, 5, 6

# Single element tuple (note the comma)
single_element = (7,)

Why Use Tuples?

  • Data integrity: Prevent accidental changes to data.

  • Performance: Tuples are generally faster and use less memory than lists.

  • Dictionary keys: Tuples can be used as keys in dictionaries (lists cannot).

  • Function returns: Often used to return multiple values from functions.

Accessing Tuple Elements

You access elements by index, starting at 0:

python
colors = ("red", "green", "blue")
print(colors[0]) # Output: red
print(colors[-1]) # Output: blue (last element)

❌ What You Can’t Do with Tuples

Since tuples are immutable, these will raise errors:

python
colors = ("red", "green", "blue")
colors[1] = "yellow" # TypeError: 'tuple' object does not support item assignment
colors.append("yellow") # AttributeError: 'tuple' object has no attribute 'append'

Tuple Operations

Though immutable, you can do these with tuples:

  • Concatenation: Combine tuples with +

python
t1 = (1, 2)
t2 = (3, 4)
t3 = t1 + t2 # (1, 2, 3, 4)

  • Repetition: Repeat tuples with *

python
t = (5, 6)
print(t * 3) # (5, 6, 5, 6, 5, 6)

  • Membership check:

python
print(3 in t3) # True

️ Useful Tuple Methods

Tuples have only two built-in methods:

  • .count(value) — counts how many times a value appears.

python
t = (1, 2, 2, 3)
print(t.count(2)) # Output: 2

  • .index(value) — returns the first index of a value.

python
print(t.index(3)) # Output: 3

‍ Tuple Unpacking

You can assign tuple values to variables in one line:

python
point = (10, 20)
x, y = point
print(x) # 10
print(y) # 20

This makes code cleaner and easier to read.

Summary

Feature Description
Definition Ordered, immutable collection
Syntax Parentheses ( ) or commas
Mutability Immutable (cannot change)
Use cases Fixed data, dictionary keys, multiple returns from functions
Access By index, like lists

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