PointNamedTuple

PointNamedTuple is a named tuple type used to represent a point in two-dimensional space. It provides a lightweight, immutable data container with two coordinates, typically labeled x and y.

Definition and creation

In Python, PointNamedTuple can be defined using the typing.NamedTuple approach or the older namedtuple factory. For example, with typing.NamedTuple: class PointNamedTuple(NamedTuple): x: float; y: float. Alternatively, PointNamedTuple = NamedTuple('PointNamedTuple', [('x', float), ('y', float)]). Instances are created by supplying the coordinates, e.g., PointNamedTuple(3.0, 4.0).

Characteristics

PointNamedTuple fields are accessed by dot notation, such as p.x and p.y. Instances are tuple-like and immutable, meaning their coordinates cannot be reassigned after creation. They support structural pattern matching in Python 3.10 and later, enabling concise deconstruction of points.

Common use cases

PointNamedTuple is suitable for simple geometric data, graphics coordinates, or any scenario where a small, fixed set of fields needs to be carried together. It improves readability over plain tuples and enables type hints for static analysis and tooling.

Advantages and limitations

Advantages include concise syntax, clear field names, immutability, and compatibility with type checking. Limitations include fixed fields (not ideal for varying attributes) and limited behavior; for more complex models, a full class or dataclass may be more appropriate. While immutability is often desirable, it means you cannot modify coordinates without creating a new instance.

Relation to other constructs

PointNamedTuple relates to Python’s collections.namedtuple and dataclass approaches. It is a lightweight alternative when a simple, well-typed point container is needed.