Why are double parentheses in tuples converted to single parentheses (Python)?

Question

When I declare a as ((5, 3)), I want a[0] to be equal to (5, 3). However, Python simpifies the expression to (5, 3).

Why are tuples simplified like that and do I have to use lists to express the same thing? ((5, 3), (3, 8)) works just fine.

``(...)`` is not a tuple. ``(...,)`` is a tuple, as is ``(..., ...)`` and such. Compare to ``(1 + 3) * 4``. — MisterMiyagi, Jun 14 '20 at 10:06
@komatiraju032 Kind of, the answer I was looking for was already in the question. — R. B., Jun 14 '20 at 10:12

score 4 · Accepted Answer · answered Jun 14 '20 at 10:06

4

Tuples with a single element must be declared with the syntax (x,). Otherwise, parentheses are interpreted as a means of clarifying computations (or changing priorities with respect to operations).

answered Jun 14 '20 at 10:06

Anthony Labarre

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score 2 · Answer 2 · answered Jun 14 '20 at 10:07

2

You can add a blank value as a second item, so that Python doesn't simplify the tuple:

# Python Terminal
>>> ((5, 3))
(5, 3)
>>> ((5, 3),)
((5, 3),)
>>> ((5, 3),)[0]
(5, 3)

answered Jun 14 '20 at 10:07

Xiddoc

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score 1 · Answer 3 · answered Jun 14 '20 at 10:13

1

If you declare a=((1, 2), ) this will give you a tuple where the first element is another tuple.

a = ((1,2), )
print(a[0])
# Output: (1, 2)

answered Jun 14 '20 at 10:13

Artin Zareie

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Why are double parentheses in tuples converted to single parentheses (Python)?

3 Answers3