Changing data types is a common task in Python programming. It allows you to convert data from one type to another, enabling you to perform various operations and manipulations on the data. In this tutorial, we will explore different methods for changing the data type in Python.
1. Python Built-in Functions
The easiest way to change the data type in Python is by using the built-in functions provided by the language. Let’s take a look at some of these functions:
a) int()
The int() function is used to convert a value into an integer data type. It can be applied to numeric values or strings that represent a valid integer.
b) float()
The float() function converts a value into a floating-point number. It can be used with integers, strings, or even other floating-point numbers.
c) str()
If you want to convert any value into a string, you can use the str() function. It works with almost any data type and returns a string representation of the given value.
2. Type Casting
In addition to using built-in functions, Python also provides another method called “type casting” for changing data types.
a) Integer Casting
To cast a value into an integer explicitly, you can use the int() function mentioned earlier or simply wrap the value with the int keyword.
num = 10
num_cast = int(num)
b) Float Casting
Similarly, you can cast a value into a float using the float() function or the float keyword.
num = 10
num_cast = float(num)
c) String Casting
To convert a value into a string using type casting, you can use the str() function or the str keyword.
num = 10
num_cast = str(num)
3. Other Data Type Conversions
In addition to the basic conversions mentioned above, Python provides various other methods for changing data types:
a) List to Tuple
You can convert a list into a tuple using the tuple() function. This is helpful when you want to make your data immutable.
b) Tuple to List
The list() function allows you to convert a tuple into a list. This is useful when you need to modify your data.
c) Dictionary to List of Tuples
If you have a dictionary and want to convert it into a list of tuples where each tuple represents a key-value pair, you can use the .items() method along with the list() function.
In Conclusion
In this tutorial, we explored various methods for changing data types in Python. We learned about built-in functions such as int(), float(), and str(), as well as type casting using int, float, and str keywords.
Additionally, we discussed converting lists to tuples, tuples to lists, and dictionaries to lists of tuples.
Understanding how to change data types is essential for manipulating and working with data effectively in Python. With the information provided in this tutorial, you are now equipped with the knowledge to handle different data types and perform necessary conversions.