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Typecasting: meaning, definitions and examples

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typecasting

 

[ ˈtaɪpˌkæstɪŋ ]

Noun
Context #1 | Noun

programming technique

Typecasting is the process of converting a variable from one data type to another in programming. This technique is often used to ensure that data is handled correctly by the program. For example, an integer might need to be converted to a float to perform decimal calculations. Typecasting can be explicit, where the programmer specifies the conversion, or implicit, where the programming language automatically handles the conversion. It is a crucial concept in languages like C, C++, and Java, as it affects how data is interpreted and manipulated.

Synonyms

casting, data conversion, type conversion

Examples of usage

  • Using typecasting to convert an integer to a float.
  • Typecasting allows different data types to be combined.
  • Explicit typecasting can prevent data loss.
  • Implicit typecasting keeps code cleaner.

Translations

Translations of the word "typecasting" in other languages:

🇵🇹 conversão de tipo

🇮🇳 प्रकार परिवर्तन

🇩🇪 Typumwandlung

🇮🇩 penyulihan tipe

🇺🇦 перетворення типу

🇵🇱 rzutowanie typu

🇯🇵 型変換

🇫🇷 conversion de type

🇪🇸 conversión de tipo

🇹🇷 tip dönüştürme

🇰🇷 타입 변환

🇸🇦 تحويل النوع

🇨🇿 přetypování

🇸🇰 premenenie typu

🇨🇳 类型转换

🇸🇮 pretvorba tipa

🇮🇸 tegundabreyting

🇰🇿 типті түрлендіру

🇬🇪 ტიპის გადაგვარება

🇦🇿 tipin çevrilməsi

🇲🇽 conversión de tipo

Etymology

The term 'typecasting' originates from the Latin word 'typus', meaning 'type' or 'kind', combined with 'casting', which in this context refers to the act of changing or converting one form to another. In programming, the notion of typecasting emerged alongside the development of early programming languages in the 1950s and 1960s, as developers needed ways to handle various data types efficiently. The growing complexity of software and the necessity for robust data handling prompted the formulation of clear rules and techniques for typecasting, distinguishing between safe conversions and those that might lead to errors or data loss. As programming languages evolved, so did the sophistication of typecasting, leading to more refined methods like static and dynamic casting.

Word Frequency Rank

Ranking #39,492, this word is encountered relatively rarely in everyday English. It might appear in literary works or specialized texts but isn't essential for general communication.