Lesson 34: Tuples - Python Course

Introduction to Tuples

Tuples are immutable sequences in Python, similar to lists but with one key difference: they cannot be modified after creation. Tuples are perfect for storing fixed collections of data that shouldn't change, such as coordinates, RGB color values, or database records.

Tuples are more memory-efficient than lists and can be used as dictionary keys (since they're immutable), making them useful in many scenarios.

Creating Tuples

Tuples are created using parentheses () with items separated by commas. You can also create a tuple with just a comma (parentheses are optional in some cases):

creating_tuples.py
# Tuple with parentheses
coordinates = (10, 20)
print(coordinates)  # (10, 20)

# Tuple without parentheses (comma makes it a tuple)
point = 5, 10
print(point)  # (5, 10)

# Single item tuple (note the comma!)
single = (42,)
print(single)  # (42,)

# Empty tuple
empty = ()
print(empty)  # ()

# Tuple with mixed types
person = ("Alice", 25, 5.6)
print(person)  # ('Alice', 25, 5.6)

Accessing Tuple Items

You access tuple items the same way as lists, using indexing and slicing:

accessing_tuples.py
# Access by index
colors = ("red", "green", "blue")
print(colors[0])  # red
print(colors[1])  # green

# Negative indexing
print(colors[-1])  # blue

# Slicing
print(colors[1:])  # ('green', 'blue')

# Tuple unpacking
x, y = (10, 20)
print(x)  # 10
print(y)  # 20

# Multiple assignment
name, age, height = ("Bob", 30, 6.0)
print(name, age, height)

Tuple Methods

Tuples have only two methods since they're immutable: count() and index():

tuple_methods.py
# count() - counts occurrences
numbers = (1, 2, 2, 3, 2)
print(numbers.count(2))  # 3

# index() - finds first occurrence
fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
idx = fruits.index("banana")
print(idx)  # 1

# Other operations
print(len(fruits))  # 3
print("apple" in fruits)  # True
print("orange" not in fruits)  # True

When to Use Tuples

✅ Use Tuples When:

• Data should not change (immutable)

• You need a dictionary key (tuples are hashable)

• Returning multiple values from a function

• Memory efficiency matters (tuples use less memory)

• Data integrity is important (prevents accidental modification)

💡 Use Lists When:

• You need to modify the collection

• You need list methods (append, remove, etc.)

• Order might change

Tuples