Python Tuple Packing and Unpacking

A function returns a product name and a quantity together.

What You Need to Understand

Packing groups multiple values into a tuple; unpacking assigns those values to names on the left. The number of destinations normally must match the number of values.

When to Use It

A function returns a product name and a quantity together.

Step-by-Step Python Example

product = "Pen", 6
name, quantity = product
print(name)
print(quantity)
first, second = (10, 20)
print(first + second)

How the Example Works

The packed tuple has two values. Each assignment on the left receives the corresponding position.

Example Output

Pen
6
30
4 9

A Second Example

Compare this smaller variation with the main example, then experiment with your own values.

point = (4, 9)
x_position, y_position = point
print(x_position, y_position)

Important Behavior and Edge Cases

Unpacking the wrong number of values raises ValueError. Use starred unpacking when variable-length input is intentional.

Try It Yourself

Unpack a three-component RGB color into descriptive variables.

Common Beginner Mistakes

Unpacking the wrong number of values raises ValueError. Use starred unpacking when variable-length input is intentional.
Assuming every sequence operation modifies the original data or that a tuple makes nested mutable objects immutable.

Key Takeaways

Packing groups multiple values into a tuple; unpacking assigns those values to names on the left.
The packed tuple has two values.
Unpacking the wrong number of values raises ValueError.