Please provide a better explanation of tuples and dictionaries

[Daniel W. Rouse Jr.]

Hi all,

I have recently started learning Python (2.7.3) but need a better 
explanation of how to use tuples and dictionaries.

I am currently using "Learning Python" by Mark Lutz and David Ascher, 
published by O'Reilly (ISBN 1-56592-464-9)--but I find the explanations 
insufficient and the number of examples to be sparse. I do understand some 
ANSI C programming in addition to Python (and the book often wanders off 
into a comparison of C and Python in its numerous footnotes), but I need a 
better real-world example of how tuples and dictionaries are being used in 
actual Python code.

Any recommendations of a better book that doesn't try to write such compact 
and clever code for a learning book? Or, can an anyone provide an example of 
more than a three-line example of a tuple or dictionary?

The purpose of my learning Python in this case is not for enterprise level 
or web-based application level testing at this point. I initially intend to 
use it for Software QA Test Automation purposes.

Thanks in advance for any replies.