Difference Between Tuple and List

By: Rajesh P.S.

Lists and tuples are two common data structures in Python that are used to store collections of items. They have some similarities but also distinct differences based on their mutability, usage, and characteristics. Here's a detailed explanation of the differences between lists and tuples, along with examples:

Mutability

Lists are mutable, meaning their elements can be modified after creation. You can add, remove, or change elements in a list.
Tuples, on the other hand, are immutable. Once a tuple is created, its elements cannot be changed, added, or removed.

# Lists (mutable) fruits_list = ['apple', 'banana', 'cherry'] fruits_list[0] = 'orange' fruits_list.append('grape') print(fruits_list) # Output: ['orange', 'banana', 'cherry', 'grape']

# Tuples (immutable) fruits_tuple = ('apple', 'banana', 'cherry') # fruits_tuple[0] = 'orange' # This line would raise an error

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Syntax

Lists are defined using square brackets [ ].
Tuples are defined using parentheses ( ).

# Lists colors_list = ['red', 'green', 'blue']

# Tuples colors_tuple = ('red', 'green', 'blue')

Performance

Tuples are generally faster than lists for iteration and access due to their immutability.
Lists can be slower when adding or removing elements, especially for large collections.

import time # Creating a large list large_list = [i for i in range(1000000)] large_tuple = tuple(large_list) # Measuring time to access an element start_time = time.time() value = large_list[500000] end_time = time.time() print("Time taken for list access:", end_time - start_time) start_time = time.time() value = large_tuple[500000] end_time = time.time() print("Time taken for tuple access:", end_time - start_time)

Usage

Lists are suitable for collections where elements might need to be modified, added, or removed over time.
Tuples are often used for collections that are meant to remain constant, such as coordinates, database records, or function return values.

# Lists for modifiable data student_scores = [85, 90, 78, 92]

# Tuples for constant data coordinates = (3, 5)

Conclusion

Lists are mutable, dynamic collections of elements that can be modified, while tuples are immutable, static collections. The choice between using lists and tuples depends on the specific requirements of your program, such as whether you need to modify the elements or ensure their immutability.

Next > What are differences between List and Dictionary in Python

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