title: Python 3: When to use dict, when list of tuples?
body: <p>I have <code>id</code>s of jail prisoners, for example. Each prisoner has a name.</p>
  
  <p>I know how dictionarys work and I know how tuples work and I know how lists work, but sometimes I see a dictionary being used, and sometimes a list of tuples. Which one should I use in my case?</p>
  
  <pre><code>d = {
      1: "Mike",
      2: "Bob",
      3: "Tom"
  }
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>vs</p>
  
  <pre><code>l = [
      (1, "Mike"),
      (2, "Bob"),
      (3, "Tom")
  ]
  </code></pre>
  
  <p>And to generalize the question: WHEN should I use a dict, and when should I use a list of tuples, what are the benefits of one?</p>