Python, Theory

Python. Mixing types. Type conversion in operators. The rules




Mixing types. Type conversion in operators. The rules

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1. What does the term “type mixing” mean in operators?

When using binary operators (such as +, –, *, /, etc.), it is possible that both operands (numbers) have different types. If, when executing a certain operator, both operands have different types, then this case is called type mixing.

For example

# type conversion and type mixing
a = 3

# mixing of integer and real type, result - real type
# in the operation of multiplication * operands have different types
b = a * 5.7 # b = 17.1

In the example in the operation of multiplication (*), the operand a on the left has an integer type, and the operand 5.7 on the right of has a real type.

Other cases of mixing types are possible in Python, as the following example shows.

# mixing of real and complex type, the result is a complex type
b = 17.1
c = b / (2+3j) # c= (2.630769230769231-3.946153846153847j)

# mixing integer and complex type
d = 5 * (1.2+3.8j) # d= (6+19j)

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2. Rules of type conversion in Python

If in some operation, the operands have different types (case of mixing types), then the Python interpreter automatically performs the following actions:

  • first, the types of operands are converted to the type of the most complex operand;
  • then operations are performed on these operands in accordance with the rules of this complex type.

The following are numerical types in descending order of difficulty:

  • complex numbers (highest complexity);
  • real numbers;
  • integer numbers.

Based on this, the following conclusions can be drawn:

  • if an integer and a real number take part in the operation, then the integer will be converted into a real one and the result will be a real type number;
  • if a real and complex number takes part in the operation, then the real number will be converted to a complex number and the result will be of a complex type. The same applies to combining integer and complex numbers.

For example, if you look at a piece of code

a = 5
b = 3.2 + a

in the line

b = 3.2 + a

situation arises type mixing. In this case, first an object a of an integer type is converted to an object of a real type with a value of 5.0, then summation (+) is applied for two objects of a real type, which are the number 3.2 and the number 5.0. A result of type 8.2 is written to object b.

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3. Built-in functions int(), float() of forced type conversion. Examples

The Python interpreter performs automatic type conversion in expressions. Such a conversion is quite convenient. However, a situation is possible when you need to force convert from one type to another.

To do this, Python implements functions that perform the conversion of integer and real types:

  • int() – cuts off the fractional part of a real number;
  • float() – converts an integer to real.

Examples.

# function int()
a = 8.423
b = int(a) # b = 8 - integer number
b = int(7.2-1.3302) # b = 5 - integer number

# function float() - converts an integer to real
a = 35
b = float(a) # b = 35.0 - real number

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4. What categories of operators (operations) can be used when mixing and converting types?

When using binary operators (operations), a situation is possible when the operands are of different types. Python language allows such use of operands. Type mixing is allowed in the following categories of operators:

  • arithmetic (mathematical) operators +, –, *, /, %, //, **;
  • comparison operators ==, !=, <, >, >=, <=.

For example.

# arithmetic operators
a = 2.8 # real type
b = 15 # integer type
c = a - b # c =   -12.2, real type
c = a % b # c = 2.8 - real type

# comparison operators
d = a>b # d = False, mixed integer and real types

a = 7+3j # a - complex type
d = a==7+3j # d = True

# complex and real types are mixed
d = a==15.8 # d = False

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5. Is it possible in Python to sum a number with a string?

No, it is not. Calculation operations in expressions concern only numerical types: integer, real, complex.

For example, an attempt to sum (multiply, divide, subtract, etc.) an integer with a string will cause an error with the corresponding message

TypeError: can only concatenate str (not "int") to str

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Related topics

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