Dave Baum <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> writes:
> In article <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>,
> Shafik <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote:
>
> > what exactly is the difference between a tuple and a list? I'm
> > sure there are some, but I can't seem to find a situation where I
> > can use one but not the other.
>
> Lists and tuples are both sequences, and can be used interchangeably
> in many situations. The big difference is that lists are mutable
> (can be modified), and tuples are immutable (cannot be modified).
> Lists also have a richer API (for example the index and count
> methods).
This common misconception falls foul of only considering the
implementation details.
The choice of when to use one or the other is more one of intent: A
tuple is best for heterogeneous sequences, a list is best for
homogeneous sequences. Here's a better explanation:
<URL:http://jtauber.com/blog/2006/04/15/python_tuples_are_not_just_constant_lists>
--
\ "No matter how cynical I get, I can't seem to keep up." -- |
`\ Lily Tomlin |
_o__) |
Ben Finney
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