The Difference Between List and Tuple
When it comes to programming, it is essential to learn the difference between different data structures. In Python, two of the most common data structures used are lists and tuples. While both of these structures may seem similar, they differ in a few key aspects. In this article, we will analyze these differences and understand how to use them effectively.
Definition
A list is an ordered collection of elements of any data type that can be changed, added to, or deleted from as per the requirements of the program. Lists are defined using square brackets [ ] and commas between the elements.
On the other hand, a tuple is an ordered collection of elements of any data type that is immutable, meaning it cannot be altered once it has been created. Tuples are defined using parentheses ( ) and commas between the elements.
Structure and Properties
Lists are mutable and flexible, with their items being fixed at a particular index. Thus, it allows the user to insert, replace, remove or modify items in the list as per their program requirements. Lists can also be of any length, contain duplicate elements, and are separated by commas.
Tuples, however, are immutable, meaning the sequence of elements cannot be altered, nor can elements be removed, inserted, or replaced. Tuples can be used as keys in dictionaries and are often used to manipulate data where elements are passed from one function to another without any modification. Tuples are a bit faster than lists as they are often more compact, and are ideal for storing related data.
Usage
Lists are mostly used for variable-length collections of elements or data where the data will be changed over the course of the program execution. Lists allow the addition or deletion of elements, making it the ideal data structure when it is necessary to manipulate data rapidly.
On the other hand, tuples are used when data cannot be changed or when you want to pass a group of related items as an argument to a function. Immutable objects can also be used as elements of the tuple. Tuple is faster than a list and requires less memory space.
Conclusion
In summary, lists and tuples are both used to store collections of data, but the main differences lie in their mutability and structure. Lists are mutable and dynamic while tuples are immutable and fixed. Depending on the program requirements, users can choose between lists and tuples to accomplish the desired output more efficiently.
Table difference between list and tuple
| List | Tuple | |
|---|---|---|
| Definition | An ordered collection of items which can be changed. | An ordered collection of items which cannot be changed. |
| Syntax | [item1, item2, item3] | (item1, item2, item3) |
| Mutable/Immutable | Mutable | Immutable |
| Accessing Elements | Elements can be accessed using index numbers. | Elements can be accessed using index numbers. |
| Traversing Elements | Elements can be traversed using loops. | Elements can be traversed using loops. |
| Length | Length of list can be changed using methods. | Length of tuple cannot be changed. |
| Memory Allocation | More memory is needed for list as it is mutable. | Less memory is needed for tuple as it is immutable. |