Type casting (type conversion) means creating a value of one type from a value of another. Python does some conversions automatically, for example turning an int into a float when you add 2 + 0.5, but it never silently turns a string into a number or a number into a string. For those you call a conversion function: int(), float(), str() or bool(). Each returns a new value; the original is unchanged, so x = "5" followed by int(x) on its own line leaves x a string unless you assign the result, as in x = int(x).
Free account
Keep reading for free
Create a free StudyToCert account to read the rest of this lesson: 7 more sections, 6 key terms, a real-world example, an exam tip and self-check questions. Every lesson, lab and practice test is free with an account.