Python Tuples

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.

mytuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")

Tuple Items

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.

Ordered

When we say that tuples are ordered, it means that the items have a defined order, and that order will not change.

Unchangeable

Tuples are unchangeable, meaning that we cannot change, add or remove items after the tuple has been created.

Allow Duplicates

Since tuples are indexed, they can have items with the same value:

thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "apple", "cherry")
print(thistuple)

Tuple Length

To determine how many items a tuple has, use the len() function:

thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(len(thistuple))

Create Tuple With One Item

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.

thistuple = ("apple",)
print(type(thistuple))

#NOT a tuple
thistuple = ("apple")
print(type(thistuple))

Tuple Items - Data Types

Tuple items can be of any data type:

tuple1 = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
tuple2 = (1, 5, 7, 9, 3)
tuple3 = (True, False, False)

A tuple can contain different data types:

tuple1 = ("abc", 34, True, 40, "male")

type()

From Python's perspective, tuples are defined as objects with the data type 'tuple':

mytuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
print(type(mytuple))

The tuple() Constructor

It is also possible to use the tuple() constructor to make a tuple.

thistuple = tuple(("apple", "banana", "cherry")) # note the double round-brackets
print(thistuple)

Unpacking a Tuple

When we create a tuple, we normally assign values to it. This is called "packing" a tuple:

fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")

But, in Python, we are also allowed to extract the values back into variables. This is called "unpacking":

fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")

(green, yellow, red) = fruits

print(green)
print(yellow)
print(red)

Using Asterisk*

If the number of variables is less than the number of values, you can add an * to the variable name and the values will be assigned to the variable as a list:

fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry", "strawberry", "raspberry")

(green, yellow, *red) = fruits

print(green)
print(yellow)
print(red)

If the asterisk is added to another variable name than the last, Python will assign values to the variable until the number of values left matches the number of variables left.

fruits = ("apple", "mango", "papaya", "pineapple", "cherry")

(green, *tropic, red) = fruits

print(green)
print(tropic)
print(red)

Loop Through a Tuple

You can loop through the tuple items by using a for loop.

thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
for x in thistuple:
  print(x)

Loop Through the Index Numbers

You can also loop through the tuple items by referring to their index number.

Use the range() and len() functions to create a suitable iterable.

thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
for i in range(len(thistuple)):
  print(thistuple[i])

Using a While Loop

You can loop through the tuple items by using a while loop.

Use the len() function to determine the length of the tuple, then start at 0 and loop your way through the tuple items by referring to their indexes.

Remember to increase the index by 1 after each iteration.

thistuple = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
i = 0
while i < len(thistuple):
  print(thistuple[i])
  i = i + 1

Join Two Tuples

To join two or more tuples you can use the + operator:

tuple1 = ("a", "b" , "c")
tuple2 = (1, 2, 3)

tuple3 = tuple1 + tuple2
print(tuple3)

Multiply Tuples

If you want to multiply the content of a tuple a given number of times, you can use the * operator:

fruits = ("apple", "banana", "cherry")
mytuple = fruits * 2

print(mytuple)

Tuple Methods

Python has two built-in methods that you can use on tuples.

 Below YouTube content is helpful for better understanding: