Tuples in Python

Defining Tuples

Tuples use parentheses () or comma-separated values to store data.

my_tuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
single_item = ("apple",)   # Note the trailing comma!
empty_tuple = ()
mixed_tuple = (1, "text", True)

Tuple Properties

• Immutable: Cannot be changed after creation
• Indexed: Supports indexing and slicing like lists
• Mixed types: Can store strings, numbers, booleans, etc.
• Hashable: Can be used as dictionary keys (if all elements are hashable)

Accessing Elements

my_tuple = ("Python", 3.10, False)

print(my_tuple[0])     # Output: 'Python'
print(my_tuple[-1])    # Output: False
print(my_tuple[1:])    # Output: (3.10, False)

Tuple Methods

Method	Description
count(x)	Returns number of occurrences of x
index(x)	Returns the first index of value x

Example:

t = (1, 2, 2, 4)
print(t.count(2))    # Output: 2
print(t.index(4))    # Output: 3

Common Use Cases

• Storing fixed coordinate data or grouped constants
• Returning multiple values from a function
• Using tuples as dictionary keys

Function Return Example:

def user_info():
    return ("Alice", 30)

name, age = user_info()
print(name)  # Alice
print(age)   # 30

Nested Tuples and Mixed Structures

Tuples can contain lists, other tuples, or even objects:

nested = ((1, 2), [3, 4], "hello")
print(nested[0][1])  # Output: 2
print(nested[1][0])  # Output: 3

Conclusion

Tuples are powerful, lightweight containers for ordered and fixed data. Their immutability adds safety to programs, and their compatibility with functional and object-oriented patterns makes them a key tool in Python’s design philosophy.