title: Why does Python not support record type? (i.e. mutable namedtuple)
body: <p>Why does Python not support a record type natively? It's a matter of having a mutable version of namedtuple.</p>
  
  <p>I could use <code>namedtuple._replace</code>. But I need to have these records in a collection and since <code>namedtuple._replace</code> creates another instance, I also need to modify the collection which becomes messy quickly. </p>
  
  <p>Background:
  I have a device whose attributes I need to get by polling it over TCP/IP. i.e. its representation is a mutable object.</p>
  
  <p>Edit:
  I have a set of devices for whom I need to poll.</p>
  
  <p>Edit:
  I need to iterate through the object displaying its attributes using PyQt. I know I can add special methods like <code>__getitem__</code> and <code>__iter__</code>, but I want to know if there is an easier way.</p>
  
  <p>Edit:
  I would prefer a type whose attribute are fixed (just like they are in my device), but are mutable.</p>