Python Lists and Tuples: A Quick Overview
Lists and tuples are fundamental data structures in Python, used to store collections of items. They differ primarily in their mutability, which refers to their ability to be changed after creation.
Lists
- Mutable: Lists are mutable, meaning you can add, remove, or modify elements after they're created.
- Syntax: Enclosed in square brackets
[].
Example:Python
my_list = [1, 2, 3, "apple", "banana"]
Tuples
- Immutable: Tuples are immutable, meaning their contents cannot be changed once they're created.
- Syntax: Enclosed in parentheses
().
Example:Python
my_tuple = (10, 20, "hello")
Key Differences:
| Feature | Lists | Tuples |
|---|---|---|
| Mutability | Mutable | Immutable |
| Syntax | [] | () |
| Use Cases | Dynamic data that needs frequent changes | Fixed data that doesn't need modification |
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Common Operations:
Both lists and tuples support various operations, including:
- Indexing: Accessing elements by their position.
- Slicing: Extracting a portion of the sequence.
- Concatenation: Combining two sequences.
- Length: Determining the number of elements.
Example:
Python
my_list = [1, 2, 3]
my_tuple = (4, 5, 6)
# Accessing elements
print(my_list[0]) # Output: 1
print(my_tuple[1]) # Output: 5
# Slicing
print(my_list[1:3]) # Output: [2, 3]
print(my_tuple[:2]) # Output: (4, 5)
# Concatenation
combined_list = my_list + [7, 8]
print(combined_list) # Output: [1, 2, 3, 7, 8]
# Length
print(len(my_tuple)) # Output: 3
By understanding the distinction between lists and tuples, you can effectively choose the appropriate data structure for your specific needs in Python programming.