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mytuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
Tuples are used to store multiple items in a single variable.
Tuple is one of 4 built-in data types in Python used to store collections of data, the other 3 are List, Set, and Dictionary, all with different qualities and usage.
A tuple is a collection which is ordered and unchangeable.
Tuples are written with round brackets.
Create a Tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(thistuple)
Tuple items are ordered, unchangeable, and allow duplicate values.
Tuple items are indexed, the first item has index [0]
, the second item has index [1]
etc.
When we say that tuples are ordered, it means that the items have a defined order, and that order will not change.
Tuples are unchangeable, meaning that we cannot change, add or remove items after the tuple has been created.
Since tuples are indexed, they can have items with the same value:
Tuples allow duplicate values:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "apple", "cherry")
print(thistuple)
To determine how many items a tuple has, use the len()
function:
Print the number of items in the tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(len(thistuple))
To create a tuple with only one item, you have to add a comma after the item, otherwise Python will not recognize it as a tuple.
One item tuple, remember the comma:
thistuple = ("apple",)
print(type(thistuple))
#NOT a tuple
thistuple = ("apple")
print(type(thistuple))
Tuple items can be of any data type:
String, int and boolean data types:
tuple1 = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
tuple2 = (1, 5, 7, 9, 3)
tuple3 = (True, False, False)
A tuple can contain different data types:
A tuple with strings, integers and boolean values:
tuple1 = ("abc", 34, True, 40, "male")
From Python's perspective, tuples are defined as objects with the data type 'tuple':
<class 'tuple'>
What is the data type of a tuple?
mytuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(type(mytuple))
It is also possible to use the tuple()
constructor to make a tuple.
Using the tuple() method to make a tuple:
thistuple = tuple(("apple", "banana", "cherry")) # note the double round-brackets
print(thistuple)
There are four collection data types in the Python programming language:
*Set items are unchangeable, but you can remove and/or add items whenever you like.
**As of Python version 3.7, dictionaries are ordered. In Python 3.6 and earlier, dictionaries are unordered.
When choosing a collection type, it is useful to understand the properties of that type. Choosing the right type for a particular data set could mean retention of meaning, and, it could mean an increase in efficiency or security.
You can access tuple items by referring to the reference number, inside the square brackets:
Print the second item in the tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(thistuple[1])
Note: The first item has a 0 value.
Poor targeting means starting from the end.
-1
refers to the last item, -2
refers to the last item etc.
Print the last item of the tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(thistuple[-1])
You can specify the width of the indicators by specifying where to start and where to end the width.
When you specify a range, the return value will be the new tuple with the specified items.
Return the third, fourth, and fifth item:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "orange", "kiwi", "melon", "mango")
print(thistuple[2:5])
Note: Search will start in index 2 (included) and end at index 5 (not included).
Remember that the first item has a 0 value.
By excluding the original value, the range will start at the first item:
This example returns the items from the beginning to, but NOT included, "kiwi":
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "orange", "kiwi", "melon", "mango")
print(thistuple[:4])
Excluding the last value, the range will continue to the end of the list:
This example returns the items from "cherry" and to the end:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "orange", "kiwi", "melon", "mango")
print(thistuple[2:])
Specify negative clues if you want to start a search from the end of the tuple:
This example returns the items from index -4 (included) to index -1 (excluded)
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "orange", "kiwi", "melon", "mango")
print(thistuple[-4:-1])
To determine if something is in the tuple use the in
keyword:
Check if "apple" is present in the tuple:
thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
if "apple" in thistuple:
print("Yes, 'apple' is in the fruits
tuple")