While learning Python, we have come across a set of different Data types, which are the main Backbone of programming. Now, if we want to make a relationship between two Data types, then we need to perform “Type Conversion in Python”.
Do you know about Python Type Conversion? If you are unaware of it, then this article will be appropriate for you to understand the concept clearly. Let us start our discussion.
TL; DR: Type Conversion In Python
Aspect | Summary |
Topic Overview | Type Conversion is the process of changing one data type into another so that Python can perform operations without errors. |
Different Types | Python supports Implicit conversion, which is automatic and safe. And the Explicit conversion, which is manual conversions using built-in functions. |
Explicit Functions | Common functions include int(), float(), str(), bool(), list(), set(), and dict() for explicit type conversion. |
Usage | Type Conversion is widely used in calculations, user input handling, data processing, API responses, and file operations. |
What Is Type Conversion in Python? Get To Know
In every programming language, there are several data types present. Like there are integers, strings, characters, etc. The programmer needs to declare the data type before declaring a variable.
As every variable of different data types is different from the other. An integer variable can’t go with the string variable. If one thinks of adding an integer to a string, then it is not possible at all.
This is the rule for every programming language. But sometimes, there is a need to add or make collaborative operations in different data types.
So, the programmer does the typecasting process usually. But Python is a high-level programming language.
So, in Python, typecasting is known as type conversion, which is more Dynamic than the Normal Typecasting Method. Let us check some of the Categories of Type Conversion in Python.
What Are The Categories Of Type Conversion in Python?
There are mainly two categories present in type conversion in Python. In one case, there is no need to involve any individual to convert one data type to another. This means the system is capable of making changes in the program.
And in another case, programmers need to write a piece of code in such a way that the need for typecasting is eliminated.
So, depending on the process, we can divide the types of conversations in the Python programming language into two categories. They are:
- Implicit type conversion
- Explicit type conversion
What Is Implicit Type Conversion In Python?
This is the type of conversion method where there is no need to declare any process in the program. The program is capable of finding the need to do typecasting there. This means that here the program finds out the line where a typecasting might be needed.
In the program, the conflict area is first identified by the compiler. And if the conflict can be resolved by the interpretation of the compiler, then the type conversion will be implicit. But there is a certain limitation in the process.
The implicit type conversion in the Python programming language can only be done in some low-category data types. Or the implicit type conversion in the Python programming language can be implemented for those data types that resemble similar ones.
coding = 10 # Declaration Of Integer
zap = 10.33 # Declaration Of Float
one = coding + zap
print("Value:",one) # New Value And Data Type
print("Data Type:",type(one))
Steps Of The Program:
- In this case, we have first declared two types of data. Here, one is the Integer Data type & the other is the Float Data type.
- These are the data types that are Closely Related.
- After declaring the variables, we are just adding those details without making any changes to the data type.
- And the result data type will be in Float. Therefore, there was no error during this operation.
Let us try to find out the output of the above code. This will help you understand the process of implicit type conversion in Python.
Output:
What Is Explicit Type Conversion In Python?
The Explicit type conversion in the Python programming language is not similar to the previous one. Here, all tasks need to be executed by the programmer themselves. The compiler is not able to do the necessary changes on its own. Because the changes are not possible to identify by the compiler.
In explicit type conversion in the Python programming language, two data types can be changed forcefully. Those two data types might not be close to each other. It might be one data type representing one integer number. And another data type represents one string value. So, those are not close data types.
But those data types can be typecast using the Explicit type conversion method in the Python programming language. For that reason, some data might be removed from the existing data. We will know more about those when we implement some of them.
Let us make a list of the functions that are present in the Python programming language:
- Int() Function: This is the inbuilt function that is used to convert any data type to an integer. It is only the function that can be utilized for any data type conversion in the Python programming language.
- Float() Function: It is another data type conversion function in the Python programming language. As the name suggests, the function is needed to convert any data type to a floating-point number. This function can be used for any data type.
- Str() Function: This is another function that is used for the conversion of integer data type to the string data type in the Python programming language.
- Ord() Function: This is the function that is used for a character to integer type conversion in the Python programming language.
- Chr() Function: This is the function that is used for integer to character type conversion in the Python programming language.
- Hex() Function: As the name suggests, the built-in function is implemented to do integer to hexadecimal string type conversion in the Python programming language.
- Tuple() Function: This is another function that is used for the conversion of any data type to the Tuple structure in the Python programming language.
- Oct() Function: This is the built-in function that needs to be used to do integer to octal string type conversion in the Python programming language.
- Set() Function: This is another function that is used for the conversion of any data type to the Set structure in the Python programming language.
- List() Function: This is another function that is used for the conversion of any data type to the List structure in the Python programming language.
- Dict() Function: This is another function that is used for the conversion of Tuple data to the Dictionary structure in the Python programming language.
How To Implement Explicit Type Conversion In Python?
Now, we hope the Definition of the Explicit Type Conversion has become clear to you. Now, it is time to implement the Explicit Type Conversion practically.
For that purpose, we will discuss a few examples. Through these examples, we will let you know the process of using different functions and how the output comes after executing the program.
Example 1: Int() Function Implementation:
It is time to convert any data type to the integer format. Using the Int() function, any data type having number values can be converted to integer values. Let us check how we perform such operations.
General Syntax: int(string-variable)
import numpy as np
golden_ratio = "1.61803398875"
phi = np.float64(golden_ratio)
print(phi, " ", type(phi))
Steps Of The Program:
- We have declared a String & an Integer Variable. Now, we need to add those variables to each other using the Above Syntax.
- Here, we need to convert the String to an Integer, and then the addition of those two variables is possible.
- The result will be of Integer Type.
Let us try to find out the output of the above code. This will help you understand the process of explicit type conversion in Python.
Output:
Example 2: Ord() Function Implementation:
Now, we will convert one character to the integer format. In this case, the ASCII value of the character will be printed as the integer. Let us check the following code to know more about the process.
General Syntax: ord(character-variable)
Steps Of The Program:
- We declared one character, and after that, we used the Ord() function.
- Then, we will share the Name of the Character as the argument.
- Now, the result is stored in the “ZapOne” variable.
- It is time to print the variable & get the result.
- In this case, the ASCII Value of the character will be printed as the integer.
Let us try to find out the output of the above code. This will help to understand the concept more easily.
Output:
Example 3: List() Function Implementation:
Now, we will convert one string to a list format. The list is a special data structure or a format that is present in the Python programming language. The implementation process is very simple.
General Syntax: list(string-variable)
string = 'ZapOne' # Declaration Of String
CodingZap = list(string) # String To List Conversation
print ("String To List Conversion: ", CodingZap) # Printing The List
Steps Of The Program:
- Here, we have declared one string, and we will use the List() Function there.
- For that, we need to share the Name of the String as the argument to the list function.
- Now, the result is stored in the “CodingZap” variable.
- It is time to print the variable & get the result.
Let us try to find out the output of the above code. This will help to understand the concept more easily.
Output:
Comparison Table Between Implicit And Explicit Type Conversion:
Before we conclude our discussion, we would like to make a difference table between the Implicit and Explicit Type Conversion based on categories like Control, Usage, Risk, Error Handling, etc. So, let us check the following Difference Table to know more about it.
Criteria | Implicit Type Conversion | Explicit Type Conversion |
Programmer Control | Not Under Control | Fully Under Control |
Risk | Risk of Precision Loss | No Certain Risk Involved |
Usage | Used in Type-Safe Scenarios | Used When Specific Formatting is Required |
Error Handling | Errors occur rarely | Programmers need to anticipate and Fix Them. |
Performance | Faster | Slower |
How Students Can Do Boolean Type Conversion In Python?
Now, we will see another example of Explicit Python Type Conversion where any data type will be converted into the Boolean values, like True or False. Students can do this with the help of the Bool() function.
All the Zero Values will be marked as false, and Non-zero Values will be marked as True. Let us check it.
# _pi is currently a String
_pi = "3.14159265359"
value = float(_pi)
print(" Type of Pi" , value , " ", type(value))
Steps Of The Program:
- At first, we will take four different values. Zero, Non-Zero Integers and Empty and Non-Empty Strings.
- Now, we will convert them to Bool() by sharing their variables with that function.
- If the value is Zero or Empty, it will give False. If the value is Non-Zero or Non-Empty, it will give True.
Output:
Converting Binary, Octal, And Hexadecimal Strings To Integers In Python For Homework
We have seen the utilization of the Int() function; here is a more detailed view of it. In Python homework, we have to convert Binary, Octal, and Hexadecimal Strings to integers using the Int() along with the Base.
This is known as the Base Conversion in Python, which is also an explicit type conversion. Let us check it.
binary = "1010" # A Binary Number
octal = "17" # An Octal Number
hex = "1A" # A Hexadecimal Number
print("Binary To Integer Conversion:", int(binary, 2))
print("Octal To Integer Conversion:", int(octal, 8))
print("Hexadecimal To Integer Conversion:", int(hex, 16))
Steps Of The Program:
- At first, binary, octal, and Hexadecimal Numbers will be taken in the program.
- Now, we will use the Int() function, where we will share the variable names and the base values.
- For Binary, the base will be 2. For Octal, the base will be 8, and for Hexadecimal, the base will be 16.
- All the values will now be converted to integer values and will be printed on the screen.
Output:
What Are Some Performance Implications Of Python Type Conversion?
Now, we hope that the entire process of the Type Conversion has become clear to you. But the Type Conversion can also bring some Performance Implications.
So, we have to keep in mind some tips that will help to make an Efficient Code with Type Conversion that will not create Performance implications. Let us check the tips.
- Without necessity, we should not convert a smaller data type (Int) to a larger data type (Float) as it will increase the Memory Consumption.
- If we have done Too Many Type Conversions, the Execution Speed of the program will become Slow.
- If we are Converting Large Data types (Double) to Smaller ones (Int), then we can face some Data Loss issues as well.
- Extra Use of type conversion can make the code Complex and Hard to read.
- If the Explicit Conversion is not used properly, we can face the Casting Error, which will impact the code performance.
Why Python Type Conversion Is Important?
If you are thinking that Python Type Conversion is not that important, and you can easily neglect the concept, then you are thinking wrong.
In Python, we will find the importance of Type Conversion, which is very important to know. Let us check the following list, where we will discuss the importance of Python Type Conversion.
- Type Conversion helps to interact between the Variables and Data Types.
- Type Conversion helps communicate between different Functions and methods that accept only specific data types.
- For doing I/O Operations in Python Files, the Type Conversion is very important.
- With the help of Type Conversion, we can integrate different Libraries and Frameworks.
- Proper use of Type Conversion helps in Memory Optimization as well.
What Are Some Real-Life Applications Of Python Type Conversion?
Though Python Type Conversion can bring many Memory and Performance Implications, the use of Python Type Conversion is still very important.
In most of the Advanced Python Programming, we have to use Python Type Conversion. Let us check some of the Real-life Application Fields where the use of Python Type Conversion is inevitable.
- In the field of Data Analysis, it helps to convert a string to an integer for Numeric Computations.
- In the Backend Development, the acquired String Input is converted to certain data types based on the need.
- In the field of Machine Learning, the Dataset is being converted to the Compatible Formats of the algorithm.
- In the field of DBMS, to match the Schema of Databases, the use of Type Conversion is important.
- If you are working with APIs, you have to adjust Data types to meet the specifications.
What Are Some Common Mistakes Students Make With Python Type Conversion?
If you are working with Python Type Conversion, you should remember some points that will save you from committing any serious mistakes that will give an Error in the program.
That is the reason why, in this section, we will discuss some Mistakes that a student commonly makes. Let us check the following list of Common Mistakes to know more about.
- If you are taking any Input from the User, it will always be a String. So, before performing any Arithmetic Operation, you should convert the String to an integer.
- String to Integer Conversion is not always possible. If the String has numeric values, then only the Type Conversion will be successful.
- When you are converting any Binary, Hexadecimal, or Octal Strings, we have to mention the Correct Base Number as well in the Type Conversion Function.
- If there are any Empty Strings, then it can’t be converted to integer or Float Values.
- While converting data types, we should keep in mind the Chance of Data Loss as well.
Conclusion:
As we saw, it is very important to know the “Type Conversion in Python”.
We have to remember the divisions of the conversation policy. We also need to practice these things as much as possible.
It is advisable to clear the basic concept of the Python programming language. Then it will be easy for us to understand the topic. This will help us in the future.
Key Takeaways:
- Implicit Type Conversion is done automatically without Programmer Involvement.
- Explicit Type Conversion is done only with the help of programmers.
- Int(), Float, Str(), Chr(), etc., are some Functions used to do Explicit Type Conversion.
- From Data Analysis to Machine Learning, the use of Type Conversion is inevitable.
So, hope you have liked this piece of article. Share your thoughts in the comments section and let us know if we can improve further.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is type conversion in Python automatic or manual?
The Python Type Conversion can be both automatic and Manual. The Automatic or Implicit Type Conversion happens when it is safe. Otherwise, programmers need to convert data manually.
Does Python lose data during type conversion?
If you are converting any large data type to a smaller data type using Python Type Conversion, then there will certainly be some chances to lose data during type conversion. So, we have to be careful.
Is Boolean type conversion implicit or explicit in Python?
The Boolean Type Conversion is an Explicit Type Conversion. In this case, the programmer manually requests the compiler to convert the data type using the Bool() function.
