[Python-Dev] Tuples vs. lists

[Guido van Rossum]

> Hrm.  Even when it's something that's supposed to be immutable?  I'm
> asking because I'm currently using a tuple for the digit list in my BCD
> module, and I'd like a clearer explanation of why you think that it
> should be a list (assuming you do).
> 
> From my viewpoint, the BCD digit string should be handled like a string;
> I'm only using a tuple for efficiency of storing numbers instead of
> characters.

Can't you trust your users not to change it?

--Guido van Rossum (home page: http://www.python.org/~guido/)