How to make Type Conversion in Python
What is type conversion, why is it useful, and how to use type conversion in Python?
In this tutorial, you will:
- Understand Type Conversion: Learn about type conversion, the process of changing the data type of a value from one form to another in Python.
- Explore the Benefits of Type Conversion: Discover why type conversion is useful, allowing you to perform operations, comparisons, and manipulations on different data types.
- Master Type Conversion in Python: Learn how to use built-in functions and techniques in Python to perform type conversion effectively.
By the end of the tutorial, you will have a solid understanding of type conversion in Python and its significance. You will be equipped with the knowledge and skills to convert data types, enabling you to work with diverse data and perform operations seamlessly.
Step 1: What is type conversion in Python?
As we learned, variables in Python have types.
Sometimes we need to convert from one type to another. Say, you have an integer variable, but you need the value represented as a string.
That is a type conversion. Converting from one type to another.
Notice that type conversion has many names, you might have heard of typecasting, type coercion, or type juggling. But they are all about changing the expression of one data type to another.
Step 2: Why do we need type conversion?
Let’s demonstrate an issue.
Consider the following program.
name = input("What is your name? ")
print(f"Hello {name}!")
birth_year = input("What is your birht year? ")
print(f"You are {2021 - birth_year} old!")
Well, you expect the program to write out your age.
Unfortunately, it will not function.
Why? Because 2021 – birth_year is not valid. 2021 is an integer, while birth_year is a string. But, you cannot subtract a string from an integer.
So what to do?
Type conversion.
Step 3: How to make type conversion in Python
Now we understand the problem. Let’s try to solve it.
Luckily, Python is our friend and has built-in functions.
- int() Converts to an integer.
- float() Converts to a float.
- str() Converts to a string.
Let’s try the first one.
name = input("What is your name? ")
print(f"Hello {name}!")
birth_year = input("What is your birht year? ")
birth_year = int(birth_year)
print(f"You are {2021 - birth_year} old!")
Now it works as expected and the only difference is the statement birth_year = int(birth_year).
Nice and easy, it converts birth_year to an integer (if possible)
The other functions work similarly.
What next?
In the next lesson you will learn about program flows in Python.
If this is something you like and you want to get started with Python, then this is part of an 8 hours FREE video course with full explanations, projects on each level, and guided solutions.
The course is structured with the following resources to improve your learning experience.
- 17 video lessons teaching you everything you need to know to get started with Python.
- 34 Jupyter Notebooks with lesson code and projects.
- A FREE eBook to support your Python learning.
See the full FREE course page here.
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