What's the difference between explicit and implicit type conversion in programming?

Explicit type conversion in programming is done manually by the programmer, while implicit conversion is handled automatically by the compiler.

In more detail, explicit type conversion, also known as type casting, is when the programmer intentionally changes the data type of a value. This is done using built-in functions or operators that the programming language provides. For example, in Python, you can convert an integer to a string using the str() function, like this: str(123). This will return '123', which is a string representation of the integer 123. Explicit type conversion is useful when you need to ensure that a value is of a certain type, for example when you're performing operations that require specific types.

On the other hand, implicit type conversion, also known as type coercion, is when the compiler or interpreter automatically changes the data type of a value. This usually happens when you're performing operations on values of different types. The compiler will convert one or both of the values to a common type that can handle the operation. For example, if you try to add a float and an integer in Python, like this: 1.5 + 2, the integer will be implicitly converted to a float, resulting in 3.5. Implicit type conversion can make code easier to write, but it can also lead to unexpected results if you're not aware of it.

A-Level Computer Science Tutor Summary: In programming, explicit type conversion (type casting) is when you manually change a value's data type using specific language tools, like turning an integer into a string with str() in Python. Implicit conversion (type coercion) happens automatically, like when mixing types in operations and the compiler adjusts them to work together. Explicit requires your action; implicit happens without you doing much.