Master Python tuples! A comprehensive guide with real-world examples, unraveling the efficiency and immutability of tuples for precise data handling in your code
Tuples are used to store multiple items in a single variable.
Tuple is one of 4 built-in data types in Python used to store collections of data, the other 3 are List, Set, and Dictionary, all with different qualities and usage.
A tuple is a collection which is ordered and unchangeable.
Tuples are written with round brackets.
Create a Tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(thistuple)
Tuple items are ordered, unchangeable, and allow duplicate values.
Tuple items are indexed, the first item has index [0]
, the second item has index [1]
etc.
When we say that tuples are ordered, it means that the items have a defined order, and that order will not change.
Tuples are unchangeable, meaning that we cannot change, add or remove items after the tuple has been created.
Since tuples are indexed, they can have items with the same value:
Tuples allow duplicate values:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "apple", "cherry")
print(thistuple)
To determine how many items a tuple has, use the len()
function:
Print the number of items in the tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(len(thistuple))
To create a tuple with only one item, you have to add a comma after the item, otherwise Python will not recognize it as a tuple.
One item tuple, remember the comma:
thistuple = ("apple",)
print(type(thistuple))
#NOT a tuple
thistuple = ("apple")
print(type(thistuple))
Tuple items can be of any data type:
String, int and boolean data types:
tuple1 = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
tuple2 = (1, 5, 7, 9, 3)
tuple3 = (True, False, False)
A tuple can contain different data types:
A tuple with strings, integers and boolean values:
tuple1 = ("abc", 34, True, 40, "male")
From Python's perspective, tuples are defined as objects with the data type 'tuple':
<class 'tuple'>
What is the data type of a tuple?
mytuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(type(mytuple))
It is also possible to use the tuple() constructor to make a tuple.
Using the tuple() method to make a tuple:
thistuple = tuple(("apple", "banana", "cherry")) # note the double round-brackets
print(thistuple)
There are four collection data types in the Python programming language:
*Set items are unchangeable, but you can remove and/or add items whenever you like.
**As of Python version 3.7, dictionaries are ordered. In Python 3.6 and earlier, dictionaries are unordered.
When choosing a collection type, it is useful to understand the properties of that type. Choosing the right type for a particular data set could mean retention of meaning, and, it could mean an increase in efficiency or security.
#python