casting.py

#!/usr/bin/env python

# Python Casting
#
# Specify a Variable Type
#
# There may be times when you want to specify a type on to a variable. 
# This can be done with casting.
# Python is an object-orientated language, and as such it uses classes to define data types, 
# including its primitive types.

# Casting in python is therefore done using constructor functions:
# int() - constructs an integer number from an integer literal, a float literal (by rounding down to the previous whole number), or a string literal (providing the string represents a whole number)
# float() - constructs a float number from an integer literal, a float literal or a string literal (providing the string represents a float or an integer)
# str() - constructs a string from a wide variety of data types, including strings, integer literals and float literals

x = int(1)          # x will be 1
y = int(2.8)        # y will be 2
z = int("3")        # z will be 3

x = float(1)        # x will be 1.0
y = float(2.8)      # y will be 2.8
z = float("3")      # z will be 3.0
w = float("4.2")    # w will be 4.2

x = str("s1")       # x will be 's1'
y = str(2)          # y will be '2'
z = str(3.0)        # z will be '3.0'