Tuples vs. Objects

So why would you have to use a tuple instead of an object? For example, this:

function getCoordinates(): [number, number] {
  return [40.7128, -74.006]; // latitude, longitude
}

Instead of this:

function getCoordinatesAsObject(): { lat: number; lng: number } {
  return { lat: 40.7128, lng: -74.006 };
}

Coordinates have a conventional order (latitude, then longitude), so a tuple's positional semantics fit well. Objects are clearer for named access (coords.lat).

type User = { name: string; age: number; email: string };
const user: User = { age: 60, name: "Lane", email: "[email protected]" };