

in this example) will raise an Inde圎rror. Trying to access an index outside of the tuple index range(6,7. So, a tuple having 6 elements will have indices from 0 to 5. We can use the index operator to access an item in a tuple, where the index starts from 0. There are various ways in which we can access the elements of a tuple. We will need a trailing comma to indicate that it is, in fact, a tuple. Having one element within parentheses is not enough. my_tuple = 3, 4.6, "dog"Ĭreating a tuple with one element is a bit tricky. My_tuple = ("mouse",, (1, 2, 3))Ī tuple can also be created without using parentheses. The parentheses are optional, however, it is a good practice to use them.Ī tuple can have any number of items and they may be of different types (integer, float, list, string, etc.). The difference between the two is that we cannot change the elements of a tuple once it is assigned whereas we can change the elements of a list.Ī tuple is created by placing all the items (elements) inside parentheses (), separated by commas. Note that Tuples are iterable which means you can loop over them just like a List.A tuple in Python is similar to a list. Total up all the positional values, your function should handle each of the following cases:īasically generate a sum of N values passed in. Try to write your own function now using tuple packing. If you would like to read more about this syntax there are some more examples and details in the Python Docs. With this in mind, it should start becoming more obvious why this makes your functions a bit more flexible and how that can translate to more reusable powerful code. TypeError: add() missing 1 required positional argument: 'arg3' Otherwise, you will end up with: nums = (1,2) # 2-item tuple Though keep in mind that the size of the nums tuple must match the positional argument count of the defined function parameters for this to work this way. Passing *args as an argument when calling ( not the definition side) will unpack the tuple into its designated positions. # Do this, this is will unpack the tuple into their positions. You have an existing Tuple of data already in some desired order that matches the same order as your parameter order and want to unpack this existing Tuple right into the positional arguments in one short line. You are calling a function that can accept one or more arguments. Because of this when Python evaluates this line it will see an even size Tuple on each side then "unpack" the right side of the equals sign into the left side names. So that means a, b is a Tuple and 1,2 is a Tuple. In Python, the comma is the indicator for a Tuple.

Pay attention to the left-side and the right-side of the = sign. We can easily check this holds True by testing it.

Python collects each positional argument passed in when you call the function and packs it into a Tuple for you. The *args defined here as a parameter of def add is the packing side. You use can use *args as the 1 and only parameter. You want to define many parameters but the names necessarily matter just the position and the ability to access the data. Scenario: You are defining your own function. So let us make a contrived example and walk our way through a basic implementation to get a grasp of it. 31, 2020Īt first, you will likely avoid it or it will just be unclear though you will see other Python Developers make regular use of it, that being *args.įirst, we need to cover the context and terms because there are two sides to this and I think it is what confuses folks the most.
