Python Tuples

In Python, a tuple is an immutable sequence of items, meaning once created, its elements cannot be changed. Tuples are often used to group related data.

Creating a Tuple

You can create a tuple by placing elements inside parentheses (), separated by commas.

# Creating tuples

empty_tuple = () # An empty tuple

numbers = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) # A tuple of integers

mixed = (1, "hello", 3.14, True) # A tuple with mixed data types

print(numbers) # Output: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

# Creating tuples empty_tuple = () # An empty tuple numbers = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5) # A tuple of integers mixed = (1, "hello", 3.14, True) # A tuple with mixed data types print(numbers) # Output: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

# Creating tuples
empty_tuple = ()  # An empty tuple
numbers = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)  # A tuple of integers
mixed = (1, "hello", 3.14, True)  # A tuple with mixed data types

print(numbers)  # Output: (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

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Accessing Tuple Elements

Like lists, you can access tuple elements using their index. Tuples are also zero-indexed.

# Accessing elements

fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")

print(fruits[0]) # Output: apple

print(fruits[2]) # Output: cherry

# Accessing elements fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry") print(fruits[0]) # Output: apple print(fruits[2]) # Output: cherry

# Accessing elements
fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")

print(fruits[0])  # Output: apple
print(fruits[2])  # Output: cherry

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Tuple Immutability

Tuples are immutable, meaning you cannot change, add, or remove elements after the tuple is created.

# Attempting to modify a tuple

fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")

# This will raise an error

# fruits[1] = "blueberry" # TypeError: 'tuple' object does not support item assignment

# Attempting to modify a tuple fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry") # This will raise an error # fruits[1] = "blueberry" # TypeError: 'tuple' object does not support item assignment

# Attempting to modify a tuple
fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")

# This will raise an error
# fruits[1] = "blueberry"  # TypeError: 'tuple' object does not support item assignment

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Tuple Methods

Tuples have only two built-in methods: count() and index().

1. count()

Returns the number of times a specified value appears in the tuple.

# Example of count()

numbers = (1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 2)

count_of_twos = numbers.count(2)

print(count_of_twos) # Output: 3

# Example of count() numbers = (1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 2) count_of_twos = numbers.count(2) print(count_of_twos) # Output: 3

# Example of count()
numbers = (1, 2, 2, 3, 4, 2)
count_of_twos = numbers.count(2)

print(count_of_twos)  # Output: 3

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2. index()

Returns the index of the first occurrence of a specified value.

# Example of index()

fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")

position = fruits.index("banana")

print(position) # Output: 1

# Example of index() fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry") position = fruits.index("banana") print(position) # Output: 1

# Example of index()
fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
position = fruits.index("banana")

print(position)  # Output: 1

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Tuple Packing and Unpacking

Tuples allow packing multiple values into one variable and unpacking them into separate variables.

# Tuple packing

person = ("John", 25, "Engineer")

# Tuple unpacking

name, age, profession = person

print(name) # Output: John

print(age) # Output: 25

print(profession) # Output: Engineer

# Tuple packing person = ("John", 25, "Engineer") # Tuple unpacking name, age, profession = person print(name) # Output: John print(age) # Output: 25 print(profession) # Output: Engineer

# Tuple packing
person = ("John", 25, "Engineer")

# Tuple unpacking
name, age, profession = person

print(name)  # Output: John
print(age)  # Output: 25
print(profession)  # Output: Engineer

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Using Tuples as Dictionary Keys

Since tuples are immutable, they can be used as keys in dictionaries, unlike lists.

# Tuple as a dictionary key

locations = {

(40.7128, -74.0060): "New York",

(34.0522, -118.2437): "Los Angeles"

}

print(locations[(40.7128, -74.0060)]) # Output: New York

# Tuple as a dictionary key locations = { (40.7128, -74.0060): "New York", (34.0522, -118.2437): "Los Angeles" } print(locations[(40.7128, -74.0060)]) # Output: New York

# Tuple as a dictionary key
locations = {
    (40.7128, -74.0060): "New York",
    (34.0522, -118.2437): "Los Angeles"
}

print(locations[(40.7128, -74.0060)])  # Output: New York

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When to Use Tuples

When you want to ensure the data cannot be modified.
When you need a lightweight alternative to lists for fixed data.
When using as dictionary keys or ensuring data integrity.

Conclusion

Python tuples are an essential data structure that provides a way to store immutable, ordered collections of items. They are simple yet powerful, offering a lightweight solution for grouping related data.