Difference between implicit and explicit conversion?

#1

What is the different between implicit and explicit conversions in programming, specifically python?

Everywhere I look I get complex answers that are hard to understand. Especially when this is supposed to show the basic proprieties of using float, int, and just how python numbers/ strings work.

#2

If Python needs to convert a variable to another data type, it does so automatically.

For example,

myInt = 5
myFloat = 1.6

mySum = myInt + myFloat
print(mySum)

In this case, Python automatically promoted myInt to a floating point value and then added.

Suppose you actually wanted an integer. We could use this example

myInt = 5
myFloat = 1.6

mySum = myInt + int(myFloat)
print(mySum)

In this case we’ve explicitly converted myFloat to an integer.

Implicit conversion is when Python automatically converts the variable to a compatible type. Explicit conversion is when you, the programmer, convert the variable to the target type.

2 Likes
#3