Python Tuples: Common Uses & Examples
A tuple is a data structure in Python that is an ordered, immutable sequence. Tuples have the following characteristics:
- Data protection: Elements in a Tuple are immutable, therefore they can be used to store data that should not be modified, such as ID numbers and phone numbers.
- Functions can return a Tuple which allows multiple values to be packaged together and returned, making it easier for a function to return multiple values.
- Function parameters: Tuples can be used as parameters for a function, allowing multiple parameters to be packaged together and passed to the function for easy handling of multiple arguments.
- Tuples can be used as keys in dictionaries because they are immutable, ensuring that the keys in the dictionary will not be changed.
- Unpacking operation: You can use the Unpacking operation to unpack the elements in a Tuple into multiple variables.
In summary, Tuples are suitable for storing multiple related, immutable data and are commonly used for functions’ return values, parameters, dictionary keys, and so on.