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Let’s Debunk the Differences Between the Type Conversion and Typecasting in C

This is a part of c tutorial and here we are specifying the difference between type conversion and typecasting in c.

· typecasting in c,type conversion in c,c tutorial,c programming,c language tutorial
differences between the Type conversion and Typecasting in C programming

C/C++ programming have many features that are known to be extremely relevant to the field one of the feature is typecasting in c and type conversion in C. These features are known to deliver the programmer the power to convert one type of data into another. Many of the programming enthusiasts make a common mistake by making a misconception that type conversions and typecasting in C/C++can be used interchangeably and in reality it is not the case.

Let’s Understand the Typecasting in C

In order to convert a particular data type of a variable in to another data type in C, the typecasting is used. In terms of memory management it is known to be extremely useful. For instance, let’s assume that the programmer wants to store a value of data type ‘int’ into a variable of data type ‘long’, this task can be achieved just by typecasting int to long. And you’ll be amazed to know that this is extremely easy to do.

Syntax
Here is the syntax of this:

int number1;
float number2;

// BODY
….
number2 = (float) number1;

Let’s Understand the Type Conversion in C

The concept where one type of data can be automatically converted into another type of data without the programmer’s involvement is known as Type conversion in C. If both the data types that are available are compatible with each other, then the compiler do the whole work.

Syntax
Here is the syntax of this:

int number1 = 5;
float number2;
Number2 = a; // The value of number2 would be 5.000
 

Type Conversion vs Typecasting

Often people tend to use the terms typecasting and type conversions interchangeably whenever the conversion of one type of data to another is discussed, the users are generally seen to use these terms interchangeably, however, it is not the same thing.

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Here are some of the key differences that will clear the concept:

  • The conversion of one data type to another by the programmer is known as typecasting, on the other hand, the type conversion generally refers to the conversion of one type of data to another automatically.
  • Typecasting is generally used whenever both the data types are incompatible with each other. On the other hand, type conversion is used whenever both the data types are compatible with each other.
  • The casting operator “()” is required for the typecasting in C, on the other hand, there is no such requirement of any operator in the case of type conversion.
  • Type casting is generally done while writing the program and the type conversion is generally done during compilation of the program.
  • Let’s understand the types of Type Conversions in C

In the C/C++ programming language, type conversions are of two types, namely:

1. Implicit Type Conversion

The variable is converted from one type to the other automatically without even the need for the employment of any other function in this type conversion. Hence, any need for the operator is eliminated.

Here are some of the rules that are necessary to remember that are associated with implicit type conversions:

  • The conversion of smaller data types in to larger data types are done in order to avoid the loss of data.
  • The resultant value comes out to be of floating type whenever the operation between the int and float data type is performed.

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2. Explicit Type Conversion

This type of conversion is basically done by the programmer as per his own convenience just with the assistance of the cast operator.

Point to be noted: The new data type that is to be typecasted should be clearly mentioned either before the identifier or the value within brackets.

Let’s Understand the Inbuilt Typecasting Functions in C

There are basically 5 types of inbuilt typecast functions in C that are known to be basic:

  • atof(): This inbuilt function is basically used to convert string data type into the float data type.
  • atoi(): This inbuilt function is basically used to convert string data type into the int data type.
  • atol(): This inbuilt function is basically used to convert string data type into the long data type.
  • itoa(): This inbuilt function is basically used to convert int data type into the string data type.
  • ltoa(): This inbuilt function is basically used to convert long data type into the string data type.

Also visit here - How to Learn C at Home?