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Exploring Immutable Data Types in Python

Python is a versatile programming language known for its simplicity and readability. One prominent feature is immutability, which refers to objects whose state cannot be modified once created. Understanding immutable data types is crucial for writing efficient and bug-free source code. This article explains everything about immutable data types, why they matter, and how to use Python.

What are Immutable Data Types in Python?

Immutable data types in Python are mainly used to store the values of variables and expressions that cannot be changed once they are created. Python developers cannot alter them.  Immutable data types help to ensure that data remains consistent and safe from unintended changes, which can be particularly beneficial in multi-threaded or concurrent programming environments.

Some of the Immutable data types in Python are:

• int
• float
• String
• Tuple
• Frozen Set

Int

In Python, we can define the ‘int’ data type to represent integers. Integers are whole numbers without any fractional part associated with them. They can be positive or negative. In Python, the size of the integer is not fixed. Its size depends on the memory available on the computer.

Example of int data type in Python

The following program demonstrates the immutable data type in Python:

Program

Output

Float

Float is also one of the immutable data types in the Python language. It is used to represent numbers like integers. They are used to represent numbers with a decimal point. It can be positive or negative or contain functional components. We create the float in python using the float() constructor or simply by including a decimal point in the current numeric value.   We can perform basic operations like +,-,/,*.

Example of float data type in Python

Now, Let’s take the example of the float as one of the immutable data types in Python:

Program

Output

Strings

Strings are immutable data types in the Python language. They are sequences of characters enclosed in either single quotes (‘), double (‘“), or triple quotes (”” or ‘’’’). Strings are immutable, meaning once they are created, they cannot be modified.  Let’s look at some key aspects and operations related to strings in Python.

The following program demonstrates the Strings in Python:

Program

Output

1. Creating Strings:

Single quoted: Hello, World!

Double quoted: Hello, World!

Triple quoted: Hello,

World!

2. Concatenation:

Combined string: Hello World

3. Repetition:

Repeated string: HelloHelloHello

4. Indexing:

First character: P

Last character: n

5. Slicing:

Substring (1:4): yth

6. Length:

Length of text: 6

7. String Methods:

Upper case: HELLO, WORLD!

Lowercase: hello, world!

Title case: Hello, World!

Stripped text: Hello, World!

Replaced text: Hello, Python!

Words split: [‘Hello’, ‘World!’]

Joined text: Hello World!

Index of ‘World’: 7

Tuples

Tuples are a fundamental data structure in Python. They store multiple items in a single variable. A tuple is an ordered, immutable collection of items. Once a tuple is created, its elements cannot be altered, added, or removed. Tuples are defined by enclosing their elements in parentheses ‘()’ and can contain elements of any data type, including other tuples.

The following program demonstrates the Tuples:

Program

Output

Frozen Sets

It is an unordered and immutable collection of unique elements similar to a set type. It behaves like a set but cannot be changed once created. This immutability makes ‘frozen sets’ hashtable and allows them to be used as dictionary keys or elements of other sets.

Below are some properties that distinguish immutable data types in Python from mutable data types in Python:

• Cannot be Modified: We cannot modify the immutable type, so it is very helpful for storing consistent data in the Python program.
• Hashable: The immutable types are hashable, meaning they can be used as keys in the dictionary or elements in sets. This is because their hash value remains constant throughout their lifetime.
• Thread-Safe: The immutable object itself cannot be changed; it is, by definition, therefore always thread-safe. Several threads can share the same immutable object, without any risk of data corruption or inconsistency.
• Efficient Memory Usage: Python can optimize memory usage for immutable objects. For instance, small integers and short strings are often interned, meaning Python reuses existing objects rather than creating new ones.

Applications of Immutable Data Types in Python

Let’s see some applications of the immutable data types in Python, which are given below:

• Multithreading: We cannot be changed so they can safely use the multiple threads without data corruption. This makes it ideal for multithreading.
• Functional Programming: It supports the functional programming paradigms by avoiding side effects.
• Simplified Debugging: It makes debugging easier by avoiding changes to the object’s state.
• Documentation and Clarity: Immutable data type enhances the source code readability and understanding by indicating a fixed rate.

Conclusion

Python immutable data types, like ‘int’, ‘float’, ‘str’, ‘tuple’, and ‘frozen set’, are key to safe source code writing. Once instantiated, these types cannot be changed. They help avoid unexpected bugs and make the source code easier to understand. They are very useful in dictionaries and sets, safe for multi-threaded programs, and ideal for functions that shouldn’t alter their inputs. Using immutable types leads to cleaner, more stable and efficient Python source code.