In Python, how can you create a mutable object?

To create a mutable object in Python, using a list is the correct approach. Lists in Python are designed to be dynamic and allow modification after their creation. This means that you can change their content, add new elements, remove elements, and even change the order of the elements without creating a new list.

Mutability refers to the ability of an object to be changed after it has been created. Lists are mutable because they support functions like append(), remove(), and item assignment, which enable developers to alter the list's contents.

In contrast, strings are immutable, meaning that once a string is created, its content cannot be changed. Any operation that seems to modify a string actually creates a new string. Tuples, similar to strings, are also immutable and cannot be modified after their creation—they provide a fixed collection of items. Sets are mutable; however, the primary characteristic that distinguishes them is varied—the focus here is on how lists specifically serve as a quintessential mutable data structure in Python.

Thus, selecting a list allows for maximum flexibility when working with collections of data, which is essential for many programming tasks.