Python - Check if variable is tuple

We are given a variable, and our task is to check whether it is a tuple. For example, if the variable is (1, 2, 3), it is a tuple, so the output should be True. If the variable is not a tuple, the output should be False.

Using isinstance()

isinstance() function is the most common and Pythonic way to check if a variable is a tuple.

x = (1, 2, 3) 
 # Check if 'x' is an instance of the tuple class
res = isinstance(x, tuple) 
print(res) 

True

Explanation:

• x = (1, 2, 3) creates a tuple containing the values 1, 2, and 3.
• isinstance(x, tuple) verifies if the variable "x" is of type tuple returning True if the check is successful.

Using is Operator

We can use type(x) is tuple to strictly check if x is exactly a tuple. This method ensures an exact type match and does not allow any tuple subclasses.

x = (1, 2, 3) 
# Strictly check if the type of 'x' is exactly 'tuple'
res = type(x) is tuple  
print(res)  

True

Explanation:

• type(x) is tuple checks if x is strictly a tuple using the is operator.
• It does not allow subclass types, making it a more rigid check than isinstance(x, tuple).

Using collections.abc.Sequence

We can use collections.abc.Sequence to check if a variable behaves like a tuple (or any sequence type). This approach is more flexible than type() or isinstance(x, tuple) as it checks for sequence-like behavior instead of an exact type match.

from collections.abc import Sequence  # Import the Sequence abstract base class

x = (1, 2, 3)  
# Check if 'x' is an instance of the Sequence class
res = isinstance(x, Sequence) 
print(res)  

True

Explanation:

• isinstance(x, Sequence) checks if x supports sequence behaviors like indexing and iteration.
• It includes tuples, lists, and other sequence types, making it broader than isinstance(x, tuple).