What is typecasting and how does it work in C programming

[AMISH]

I have some simple but important points to discuss about typecasting in C programming. This concept is new to me and so I am finding it difficult to understand this. First and foremost, what is typecasting and how does it work? When does a compiler uses typecasting? Can you create your own typecasting functions or variables? What all are the datatypes that can be typecasted?

[Modifier]

Typecasting involves converting an expression of a given type into another type. In C, you can perform typecasting by placing the datatype name in parentheses and placing this in front of the value. For example:

int main()
{
int x;
x = (int)8 / 6;
return 0;
}

In the above example, the usual result of 8/6 should be 1.3333 but since we have typecasted it, the x value would be "1". The later part is simply dropped.

[Praetor]

Typecasting is very essential in programming to avoid any unnecessary errors or warnings. Sometimes C compilers need you to define as to what type of typecasting is needed whereas on the other it implicitly converts. The usual notification is "(<type>)<value>". Typecasting is like you want to make a variable of one type, such as an int, to act like another type, such as char, for single statement. Although typecast has so many benefits but still it is considered as a headache because it simply truncates your data at important steps.

[$tatic]

what is typecasting and how does it work?

This question is already answered, so nothing to add to this.

When does a compiler uses typecasting?

Whenever the compiler finds the data types of left and right most expression is different, it can either use implicit conversion or uses the explicit typecasting. If it is unavailable then an error message is returned.

Can you create your own typecasting functions or variables?

Yes, as described above.

What all are the datatypes that can be typecasted?

The list is long such as short to int, unsigned to int, int to float, float to double, int to double, char to int and so on....

[elgoog153]

I have a question here, regarding this typecasting.

- will there be any potential issue with typecasting. Like will it introduce any alignment issue for a word processor (word alignment issue)
- I saw some compiler used to show warnings if a integer variable is typecasted to an unsigned int or char. something like 'narrow down the datatype' issue.

[MindSpace]

Typecasting is a way to make a variable of one type, such as an int, act like another type, such as a char, for one single operation. You still need to make sure that actions that should logically be indivisible actually are, that you avoid deadlocks, that your algorithm is sufficiently parallel for the performance you need, etc.