input: def compare_list_and_tuple(data_type: str) -> str:
      """ Compare the characteristics of a list and a tuple in Python and return
      a description of the difference.
  
      >>> compare_list_and_tuple('list')
      'The difference between a list and a tuple in Python is that a list is mutable, meaning its contents can be changed, while a tuple is immutable, meaning its contents cannot be changed. A list has square brackets around it, while a tuple has parentheses around it. Lists are used when the data needs to be changed, while tuples are used when the data is fixed and cannot be changed.'
      """
      if data_type == 'list':
          return ("The difference between a list and a tuple in Python is that "
                  "a list is mutable, meaning its contents can be changed, while "
                  "a tuple is immutable, meaning its contents cannot be changed. "
                  "A list has square brackets around it, while a tuple has "
                  "parentheses around it. Lists are used when the data needs to be "
                  "changed, while tuples are used when the data is fixed and "
                  "cannot be changed.")
output:     else:
          return ("The difference between a tuple and a list in Python is that "
                  "a tuple is immutable, meaning its contents cannot be changed, "
                  "while a list is mutable, meaning its contents can be changed. "
                  "A tuple has parentheses around it, while a list has square "
                  "brackets around it. Tuples are used when the data is fixed and "
                  "cannot be changed, while lists are used when the data needs to "
                  "be changed.")