Python Tuples: Beginner Python tutorials 7 | Better4Code

Python Tuples: Python is a versatile programming language that offers various data structures to organize and store data. Tuples are one of the fundamental data structures in Python, similar to lists. However, tuples have several unique features that distinguish them from lists. In this article, we will explore the basics of Python tuples and their usage with examples.

Creating Python Tuples
Python Tuples are created by enclosing elements in parentheses () separated by commas. Here’s an example:

numbers = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

In this example, we have created a tuple of numbers with five elements.

 

Accessing Python Tuples Elements
To access a specific element in a tuple, you can use the index of the element inside square brackets. Similar to lists, tuples also use zero-based indexing. Here’s an example:

numbers = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
print(numbers[2])

Output:

3

In this example, we have accessed the third element in the tuple, which is 3, by using the index 2.

 

Python Tuples are Immutable
Unlike lists, tuples are immutable, which means that once a tuple is created, its elements cannot be changed or modified. Here’s an example:

numbers = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
numbers[2] = 6

Output:

TypeError: 'tuple' object does not support item assignment

In this example, we have tried to change the value of the third element in the tuple, which results in a TypeError because tuples are immutable.

 

Slicing Tuples
You can also access a range of elements in a tuple by using slicing. Slicing is done by specifying the start and end indices separated by a colon : inside square brackets. Here’s an example:

numbers = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)
print(numbers[1:4])

Output:

(2, 3, 4)

In this example, we have used slicing to access the elements from index 1 to index 3 (exclusive) in the tuple, which are 2, 3, and 4.

 

Using Tuples in Functions
Tuples are often used in Python functions to return multiple values. For example, a function that calculates the sum and product of two numbers can return a tuple of both values. Here’s an example:

def calculate(num1, num2):
    return num1 + num2, num1 * num2

result = calculate(3, 4)
print(result)

Output:

(7, 12)

In this example, the function calculate() returns a tuple of the sum and product of the two input numbers. The output is (7, 12).

 

Conclusion
Tuples are a fundamental data structure in Python that are used to store collections of elements. In this article, we have explored how to create tuples, access elements, slice tuples, and use tuples in functions. By mastering the usage of tuples, you can write more efficient and effective Python code for various applications.