What is the difference between immutable and mutable types?

What is the difference between immutable and mutable types?

Immutable types are those whose state cannot be modified after creation, like strings and tuples in Python. Mutable types can be changed, like lists and dictionaries.

Can you give me examples of each?

Sure! An example of an immutable type is a string: once you create it, you can't change it. A mutable type example is a list, where you can add or remove elements.

Why would I use immutable types?

Immutable types can help prevent bugs in your code, as they ensure that data cannot be changed unexpectedly, making your programs easier to reason about.

Are there performance differences between them?

Yes, immutable types can be more memory efficient in certain contexts, as they can be shared between different parts of a program without copying.