Definition of a Tuple
A tuple is an ordered, immutable collection of elements, where each element can be of any data type. Unlike a set, the order of elements within a tuple is significant, and duplicate elements are permitted. Once created, a tuple's contents typically cannot be modified.
Key Characteristics
The defining features of a tuple are its ordered nature and immutability. Each element holds a specific position (index), and tuples can contain a finite number of elements, from zero (an empty tuple) to many. They are foundational for grouping fixed collections of related items whose integrity needs to be preserved.
Mathematical Example
In mathematics, an ordered pair (x, y) is a common example of a 2-tuple, often representing a point in a two-dimensional coordinate system. Similarly, an ordered triple (x, y, z) is a 3-tuple, used for points in three-dimensional space, clearly demonstrating the importance of element order.
Computer Science Application
In programming, tuples are widely used to group related data. For instance, a function might return a tuple (name, age, city) representing a person's fixed attributes. Their immutability makes them suitable for situations where data integrity is critical, such as database records or keys in hash-based data structures.