Difference Between List and Tuple in Python

In Python, a list is a collection of ordered and mutable elements that can be of any data type. It is defined by enclosing a comma-separated sequence of values within square brackets [ ].  A tuple is similar to a list because it is also a collection of ordered elements, but there are some key differences between them. 

Tuples are defined by enclosing a comma-separated sequence of values within parentheses ( ).

Both lists and tuples are used to store collections of items, but there are some key differences between them, which you are going to learn about further in this article. To learn more about python and its applications one can opt for a BCA Degree in computer science. This will allow you to build your career in python development as well as full-stack development. 

What are lists in Python? 

Lists are very versatile and commonly used in Python for storing and manipulating data in a variety of applications. In Python, a list is a collection of ordered and mutable elements that can be of any data type. It is defined by enclosing a comma-separated sequence of values within square brackets [ ].

Lists are versatile data types in Python and are used in a wide variety of applications. Here are some common use cases for lists in Python:

• Storing collections of data: Lists can be used to store collections of any type of data, including numbers, strings, and other objects. For example, a list of student names, a list of integers representing temperatures, or a list of dictionaries representing products in an inventory.
• Iterating over elements: Lists can be easily iterated over using loops or list comprehensions, making it easy to perform operations on each element of the list. For example, you can use a loop to print out each element of a list, or a list comprehension to create a new list with modified elements.
• Modifying and manipulating data: Lists are mutable, which means that you can add, remove, or modify elements in the list. You can use built-in list methods like append(), insert(), pop(), and remove() to modify the list in various ways. You can also use slicing to extract or modify subsets of the list.
• Sorting and filtering data: Lists can be sorted using the built-in sorted() function or the sort() method. You can also filter a list using list comprehensions or the built-in filter() function.
• Storing data structures: Lists can be used to store other data structures, such as tuples or other lists, to create more complex data structures.

What is Tuple in Python? 

In Python, a tuple is similar to a list in that it is a collection of ordered elements, but there are some key differences between them. A tuple is an immutable sequence, which means that once it is created, its contents cannot be changed. Tuples are defined by enclosing a comma-separated sequence of values within parentheses ( ).

Tuples can be used in a variety of situations where you want to group together multiple values that should not be changed, such as returning multiple values from a function or defining keys in a dictionary. Tuples are also sometimes used for performance reasons, as they are generally faster and more memory-efficient than lists when working with large amounts of data.

Difference between List and Tuple in Python 

In Python, both lists and tuples are used to store collections of items, but there is some key difference between lists and tuples in python which are listed below:

Mutability: The main difference between lists and tuples is that lists are mutable, which means they can be changed after creation, whereas tuples are immutable and cannot be changed once they are created.

Syntax: Lists are defined using square brackets [] and separated by commas, while tuples are defined using parentheses () and also separated by commas.

Performance: Tuples are generally faster than lists because they are immutable and require less overhead.

Usage: Lists are often used when the order of the items matters and when they need to be modified or updated frequently, while tuples are used when the order of the items matters but they don't need to be modified frequently or at all.

Here are some examples to illustrate the difference between Lists and Tuples in Python:

# Creating a list

my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

# Modifying the list

my_list[0] = 6

# Result: [6, 2, 3, 4, 5]

# Creating a tuple

my_tuple = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

# Attempting to modify the tuple

my_tuple[0] = 6

# Result: TypeError: 'tuple' object does not support item assignment

Difference between Lists and Tuple in tabular form- 

Consider the following table to understand the core essence of the differences between Lists and Tuples:

PYTHON TUPLE	PYTHON LISTS
Round Parentheses ()	Square Brackets []
Mutable in nature	Immutable in nature
There are 33 available methods in Tuple	There are 46 available methods in Lists
Need less memory	Needs more memory
Can be used as a key in dictionaries	Cannot be used as dictionaries
Faster in performance	Slower in performance
Useful for read-only operations like accessing elements	Useful for insertion and deletion operations

Examples of Lists in Python 

 Here are some examples of Lists in Python which can be considered to get a better understanding:

• A list of integers

my_list = [1, 2, 3, 4, 5]

1. A list of strings 

fruits = ["apple", "banana", "orange", "kiwi"]

• A list of mixed data types 

mixed_list = [10, "hello", 3.14159, True]

• A list of lists 

matrix = [[1, 2, 3], [4, 5, 6], [7, 8, 9]]

• A list of dictionaries

people = [

    {"name": "Alice", "age": 25},

    {"name": "Bob", "age": 30},

    {"name": "Charlie", "age": 35}

]

• A list of Tuples 

coordinates = [(0, 0), (1, 2), (2, 4), (3, 6)]

Examples of Tuple in Python 

Here are some examples of Tuple in python

• A tuple of integers 

my_tuple = (1, 2, 3, 4, 5)

• A tuple of strings

fruits = ("apple", "banana", "orange", "kiwi")

• A tuple of mixed data types

mixed_tuple = (10, "hello", 3.14159, True)

 

• A tuple of tuples

 coordinates = ((0, 0), (1, 2), (2, 4), (3, 6))

• A tuple as a function return value

def get_name_and_age():

    name = "Alice"

    age = 25

    return (name, age)

• A tuple as a dictionary key

person = {

    ("Alice", 25): "alice@example.com",

    ("Bob", 30): "bob@example.com",

    ("Charlie", 35): "charlie@example.com"

}

Available Operations for Lists in Python 

Lists are a built-in data type in Python, and they come with a number of built-in methods that you can use to manipulate and work with lists. Here are some of the most commonly used methods:

• append(item) - Adds an item to the end of the list.
• extend(sequence) - Adds the elements of a sequence (e.g., another list) to the end of the list.
• insert(index, item) - Inserts an item at a specific index in the list.
• remove(item) - Removes the first occurrence of an item from the list.
• pop(index) - Removes and returns the item at a specific index in the list. If no index is specified, remove and return the last item in the list.
• index(item) - Returns the index of the first occurrence of an item in the list.
• count(item) - Returns the number of times an item appears in the list.
• sort() - Sorts the items in the list in ascending order.
• reverse() - Reverses the order of the items in the list.

Available Operations for tuples in Python 

Tuples are a built-in data type in Python, and they come with a number of built-in operations that you can use to manipulate and work with tuples. Here are some of the most commonly used operations:

• Indexing: You can access individual elements of a tuple using indexing. The first element of the tuple has an index of 0, the second element has an index of 1, and so on.
• Slicing: You can extract a subset of elements from a tuple using slicing. Slicing allows you to specify a range of indices and extract all the elements in that range.
• Concatenation: You can concatenate two tuples using the + operator. This creates a new tuple that contains all the elements from both tuples.
• Repetition: You can repeat a tuple a certain number of times using the * operator. This creates a new tuple that contains the original tuple repeated the specified number of times.
• Length: You can get the length of a tuple (i.e., the number of elements in the tuple) using the built-in len() function.

Who are Python developers?

A Python developer is someone who writes and maintains software applications using the Python programming language. Python is a high-level, general-purpose language that is widely used in a variety of fields, including web development, data science, scientific computing, artificial intelligence, machine learning, and more.

A Python developer typically has experience in coding, debugging, testing, and maintaining software applications written in Python. They are familiar with the syntax and features of the language, as well as the standard libraries and frameworks used in Python development.

Skill set required to become a Python developer

Some of the key skills and technologies that a Python developer should be familiar with include:

• Python syntax and data structures
• Object-oriented programming (OOP) concepts
• Web development frameworks such as Django, Flask, and Pyramid
• Database technologies such as SQL and NoSQL
• Data science and machine learning libraries such as NumPy, Pandas, and scikit-learn
• Cloud computing platforms such as AWS and GCP
• Version control tools such as Git
• Agile development methodologies such as Scrum and Kanban

Python developers may work in a variety of roles, including software engineers, web developers, data scientists, machine learning engineers, and more. They may work on a variety of projects, from building web applications to developing complex machine-learning models.

Salary of a Python Developer in India 

The salary of a Python developer in India varies based on a number of factors, including the level of experience, location, industry, and company. According to Glassdoor, the average salary for a Python developer in India is around ₹6,00,000 per year. However, this figure can range from ₹3,00,000 to ₹15,00,000 per year or more, depending on the factors mentioned below. 

Here are some factors that may influence a python developer’s salary in India:

• Experience: Generally, more experienced developers can command higher salaries. Junior Python developers with less than 1 year of experience may earn around ₹3,00,000 per year, while senior Python developers with more than 5 years of experience may earn upwards of ₹12,00,000 per year.
• Location: The salary of a Python developer can vary based on the cost of living and demand for talent in the location where they work. Python developers in cities like Bangalore, Pune, and Hyderabad may earn higher salaries than those in smaller cities or rural areas.
• Industry: Python developers work in a variety of industries, from IT and software development to finance and healthcare. The salary may vary based on the industry and the demand for Python skills in that industry.
• Company: The salary of a Python developer can also vary based on the size and type of company they work for. Large multinational companies may offer higher salaries and more benefits than smaller startups or local businesses.

Conclusion 

Now that you've mastered Lists and Tuples in Python, you can dive deeper into other Python concepts with certain certificate courses offered at Sunstone. These courses teach students the fundamentals of Python, including data operations, conditional statements, shell scripting, and Django. For a deeper understanding of Python development, you can opt for a complete BCA degree course. At Sunstone, you’ll get 70+ sessions by recruiters and industry experts with lifetime access to the pan-India student community. 

FAQ - Difference Between List and Tuple in Python

Are Python developers and full-stack developers similar?

Python developers and full-stack developers are not the same, although there may be some overlap in their skill sets.

A Python developer is a professional who specializes in writing and maintaining software applications using the Python programming language. They may work in a variety of fields, including web development, data science, scientific computing, and machine learning.

On the other hand, a full-stack developer is a professional who is proficient in both front-end and back-end development. They are able to work on both the client-side (user interface) and server-side (database, application logic) of a web application.

Why are tuples immutable?

Tuples are immutable in Python because they are designed to represent a fixed set of elements that cannot be modified once they are created. Once a tuple is created, its contents cannot be changed. This means that elements cannot be added or removed from the tuple, and existing elements cannot be modified.