How To Create & Use Tuples In Python
How To Create & Use Tuples In Python
Nov 02, 2022
Computer Science - Other

 

How To Create & Use Tuples In Python

Python is a high-level, all-purpose programming language designed to be used in a range of applications, including data science, software and web development, and automation. To date, it has been used in the creation of virtually everything — from the recommendation algorithm on Netflix to the self-driving cars’ controls software.

The popularity of Python is mainly driven by the simplicity of its syntax, which mimics natural English. As a result, it is easy to read and understand. Moreover, the language is very user-friendly for beginners, making it popular among beginning programmers. And since it is open source, it can be used and distributed for free, even for commercial purposes. 

What Is a Tuple in Python

Tuple in Python is a collection of multiple items stored in an organized and immutable way. It’s one of the four built-in data types in Python programming. A tuple is similar to a list in terms of nested objects, repetition, and indexing. However, unlike lists, you cannot change the elements of a tuple once they have been assigned to it. Tuples are written using round brackets and can include any data type, including boolean, numeric, and dictionary.

In today's article, you'll discover all there is to know about using and creating tuples in Python. 

Photo by Clément Hélardot on Unsplash

How to Add Tuples in Python

Python allows for the creation of tuples by enclosing all comma-separated items within parenthesis ().

First_tuple = (3, 6, 9, 12)

Second_tuple = ("Good", "Afternoon")

Third_tuple = (1.3, 2.5, 4.6, 3.4)

Tuple elements are the elements in parentheses. These can be of different types, such as float, double, string, or char, and can be put into the tuple during the tuple creation. The elements of a tuple are:

  • Ordered — It is impossible to modify the order of the tuple element within parentheses once they have been declared. Therefore, you should be careful when adding the elements to a tuple to ensure the execution doesn't fail due to any errors.
  • Unchangeable — Once a Python tuple's elements have been declared, they cannot be modified. That being said, you can alter the nested items if the elements are of mutable data types like a list.

Tuples can have different types of data in a single parenthesis. Here are some examples of how to create and use tuples in Python:

Empty Tuple

An empty tuple has no value. You can create one by using empty parentheses. 

first_tuple = ()

Output ()

SIngle-Value Tuple

If you want to create a single-value tuple, a comma must follow the single element.

first_tuple = ("pear",)

Output: (pear) 

Tuple With Different Data Types

A mixed tuple can contain multiple comma-separated values. To create this tuple, you must separate each element within the brackets with a comma.

first_tuple = (4, “Hi”, 2) 

Output: (4, Hi, 2) 

Nested Tuple

Creating a nested tuple means nesting one tuple inside another.

first_tuple = (“Hi”, (3, 2, 9), (4, 7, 6)) 

Output: (Hi, ((3, 2, 9), (4, 7, 6))

How to Access Tuple Elements

You can access elements in tuples by using the index number inside the square brackets.  

Indexing

A tuple's index begins at 0, and the index operator [accesses it]. The index must be an integer and fall within the tuple range. 

first_tuple = (1, 2, 7, 4, 7, 9, 2, 1, 5, 3) 

x = first_tuple.index(7)

Output: Index of 7: 2

Negative Indexes in Tuple

Negative indexes can also be used to access the tuple elements. In negative indexing, -1 refers to the last element, whereas -2 is used for the next-to-last, etc.

first_tuple = ('p', 'e', 'r', 'm', 'i', 't')

print(first_tuple[-1]) 

Output: 't'

print(first_tuple[-6])

Output: 'p'

Slicing

In Python, the slicing operator colon ':' can also access a set of tuple items.

first_tuple = ('a', 'b', 'c', 'd')

print(first_tuple[1:]) #print index 1 elements to end

print(first_tuple[:2]) #print index 1 to index 2 elements

print(first_tuple[1:3]) #print index 1 to index 3 elements

print(first_tuple[::2]) #print elements from start to end using step sizes of 2

Output

('b', 'c', 'd')

('a', 'b')

('b', 'c')

('a', 'c') 

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Check Whether a Certain Element Is Found in a Tuple

By using a keyword, you can check whether a certain element is found in a tuple.

first_tuple = ('A', 'L’, 'E', 'M', 'S', 'X', 'I', 'F', 'D')

if 'A' in first_tuple:

print ("Yes, A exists in the tuple") 

Output: Yes, A exists in the tuple

Updating Tuples

Considering that tuples are ordered and contain immutable elements, Python won’t let you update or modify the tuple. However, there’s a simple hack to change the element value of tuples using lists. The first step is to turn the tuple into a list. Then, you can update the list as you please and convert it to a tuple.

first_tuple = (2, 4, 6, 8)

print ("Original Tuple is:", first_tuple)

value = 10

print("Value to be added:", value)

newTuple = (10,)

second_tuple = first_tuple + newTuple

print("Updated tuple is:", )

Output

Original Tuple is: (2, 4, 6, 8)

Value to be added: 10

Updated tuple is: (2, 4, 6, 8, 10)

Adding New Elements  

Again, tuples are unchangeable, so adding new elements is impossible. But, you can use the same hack as that to update tuples to add new elements. 

First_tuple = (2, 4, 6 )

print( "Old Tuple: ")

print( First_tuple)

temp = list( First_tuple)

temp.append(8)

First_tuple = tuple( temp )

print( " New Tuple: ")

print( First_tuple)

Output:

Old tuple

(2, 4, 6)

New Tuple:

(2, 4, 6, 8)

Delete Tuple Operation

As tuples are immutable, it is impossible to delete any element from the tuple. However, you can use the “del” keyword to delete the entire tuple.

First_tuple = ( 1, 2, 3 )

print(First_tuple)

Output: (1, 2, 3 ) 

del (First_tuple)

Output: Error: ‘First_tuple’ not defined. 

Here, it is evident that the tuple is removed since Python was unable to locate it after using "del."

Packing and Unpacking Tuples

When creating a tuple, you’re assigning several values — a process known as “packing a tuple.” 

First_tuple = ( 2, 4, 6)

On the other hand, when extracting the values into variables, you’re “unpacking a tuple.” 

First_tuple = ( 2, 4, 6 )

(two, four, six) = First_tuple

print( two )

print( four )

print( six)

# prints

Output:

2

4

6

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Final Thoughts on How to Create and Use Tuples In Python

The data structure of a tuple is unchangeable, which increases its processing performance over lists. As a result, it optimizes Python projects and programs, making your Python scripts run more efficiently. Hopefully, our extensive coverage of the common properties and ways of tuples creation have helped your path to coding like a pro.  






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