What are the limitations of namedtuples?

What are the limitations of namedtuples in Python?

Namedtuples are great for creating lightweight object types, but they have some limitations. For instance, they are immutable, meaning you cannot change their values after creation. Additionally, they do not support methods like regular classes, which can limit functionality.

Can you give me an example of when their immutability is a problem?

Sure! If you need to update a value in a namedtuple, you have to create a new instance instead of modifying the existing one. This can lead to more complex code if frequent updates are required.

Are there any performance issues with namedtuples?

Namedtuples are generally efficient, but they can be slower than regular tuples for certain operations due to the additional overhead of attribute access. If performance is critical, you might want to consider using regular tuples or other data structures.

What alternatives do I have to namedtuples?

Alternatives include using regular tuples, dictionaries, or even custom classes if you need more functionality. Each option has its own trade-offs depending on your use case.