Tuples in Python are immutable sequences used to store collections of items. They are similar to lists but cannot be changed after creation.
Creating a Tuple
You can create a tuple by enclosing elements in parentheses:
my_tuple = (1, 2, 3)
Or without parentheses:
my_tuple = 1, 2, 3
Accessing Tuple Elements
Use indexing to access elements:
print(my_tuple[0]) # Output: 1
Immutable Nature
Tuples cannot be modified:
my_tuple[0] = 10 # This will raise a TypeError
Tuple Unpacking
You can unpack tuple elements into variables:
a, b, c = my_tuple
print(a, b, c) # Output: 1 2 3
When to Use Tuples
- Fixed Data: When the data should not change.
- Dictionary Keys: Tuples can be used as keys due to their immutability.
- Function Returns: Return multiple values from a function.
Conclusion
Tuples are an essential data structure in Python for storing immutable sequences of data. Understanding tuples enhances your ability to write efficient and secure code.