# Why does \`elem/2\` exist?

**URL:** <https://forum.elixirforum.com/t/why-does-elem-2-exist/64854>\
**Category:** Questions\
**Tags:** functions\
**Created:** [July 11, 2024, 3:04am UTC](https://forum.elixirforum.com/t/why-does-elem-2-exist/64854 "2024-07-11T03:04:54Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 1\
**Showing post:** 6

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**Author:** ![BartOtten](https://forum.elixirforum.com/user_avatar/forum.elixirforum.com/bartotten/32/25440_2.png) [@BartOtten](https://forum.elixirforum.com/u/BartOtten)\
**Post date:** [July 11, 2024, 7:13am UTC](https://forum.elixirforum.com/t/why-does-elem-2-exist/64854/6 "2024-07-11T07:13:12Z")

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> Pattern matching with large tuples is verbose and it’s easy to get the wrong element

If you are on control of the data: Use Records to overcome this issue

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