Python Notes – Type Conversion, Casting & Random
Numbers
1. Type Conversion
Type conversion means converting one data type into another using Python's built-in
functions.
Syntax
Python Run
int()
float()
complex()
Example
Python Run
x = 1 # int
y = 2.8 # float
z = 1j # complex
# Convert int to float
a = float(x)
# Convert float to int
b = int(y)
# Convert int to complex
c = complex(x)
print(a)
print(b)
print(c)
print(type(a))
print(type(b))
print(type(c))
Output
Python Run
1.0
2
(1+0j)
<class 'float'>
<class 'int'>
<class 'complex'>
Important Notes
float() converts an integer into a floating-point number.
int() removes the decimal part (it does not round the value).
complex() converts an integer or float into a complex number.
Complex numbers cannot be converted into int or float .
Example:
Python Run
x = 5.8
print(int(x))
Output
Python Run
2. Casting vs Type Conversion
Many beginners think Casting and Type Conversion are the same. They are closely
related, but there is a small difference.
What is Type Conversion?
Type Conversion is the process of changing one data type into another.
There are two types of type conversion:
1. Implicit Type Conversion (Automatic)
Python automatically converts one data type into another whenever required during an
operation.
Example
Python Run
x = 5 # int
y = 2.5 # float
z = x + y
print(z)
print(type(z))
Output
Python Run
7.5
<class 'float'>
Explanation
x is an integer.
y is a float.
Python automatically converts x (5) into 5.0 .
The result becomes a float.
This is called Implicit Type Conversion because Python performs it automatically.
2. Explicit Type Conversion (Casting)
When the programmer manually converts one data type into another using built-in
functions, it is called Casting or Explicit Type Conversion.
Python provides the following constructor functions:
Function Description
int() Converts a value to an integer
float() Converts a value to a float
complex() Converts a value to a complex number
str() Converts a value to a string
Example
Python Run
x = 5.8
y = int(x)
print(y)
print(type(y))
Output
Python Run
5
<class 'int'>
Explanation
Here, we explicitly instructed Python to convert a float into an integer using int() .
Therefore, this is called Casting.
Difference Between Type Conversion and Casting
Type Conversion Casting
Type Conversion is the process of changing Casting is the manual conversion of one data
one data type into another. type into another.
It can be Implicit (Automatic) or Explicit It is always Explicit (Manual).
(Manual).
Python may perform it automatically. The programmer performs it using functions like
int() , float() , str() , and complex() .
Includes both automatic and manual Refers only to manual conversions.
conversions.
Example of Implicit Type Conversion
Python Run
a = 10
b = 2.5
print(a + b)
Output
Python Run
12.5
Python automatically converts 10 into 10.0 .
Example of Casting
Python Run
age = "25"
print(type(age))
age = int(age)
print(type(age))
Output
Python Run
<class 'str'>
<class 'int'>
Here, int() manually converts the string into an integer.
Key Points
Type Conversion is the overall process of converting one data type into another.
Casting is Explicit Type Conversion performed by the programmer.
Every Casting operation is a Type Conversion.
Not every Type Conversion is Casting, because Python can automatically perform
Implicit Type Conversion.
int() removes the decimal part; it does not round the number.
Complex numbers cannot be converted into int or float .
3. Random Numbers
Python does not have a built-in random() function.
To generate random numbers, use the random module.
Import Module
Python Run
import random
Example
Python Run
import random
print([Link](1, 10))
Output
(Random output every time)
Python Run
or
Python Run
Explanation
Python Run
[Link](start, stop)
The start value is included.
The stop value is excluded.
Example:
Python Run
[Link](1, 10)
Returns a random integer from 1 to 9.
4. Specify a Variable Type (Casting)
There may be times when you want to specify the data type of a variable. This is done
using casting.
Python uses constructor functions to define data types.
Function Description
int() Constructs an integer from an integer, float (removes decimals),
or numeric string
float() Constructs a float from an integer, float, or numeric string
str() Constructs a string from numbers or other data types
5. Integer Casting
Example
Python Run
x = int(1)
y = int(2.8)
z = int("3")
print(x)
print(y)
print(z)
Output
Python Run
1
2
3
6. Float Casting
Example
Python Run
x = float(1)
y = float(2.8)
z = float("3")
w = float("4.2")
print(x)
print(y)
print(z)
print(w)
Output
Python Run
1.0
2.8
3.0
4.2
7. String Casting
Example
Python Run
x = str("s1")
y = str(2)
z = str(3.0)
print(x)
print(y)
print(z)
Output
Python Run
s1
2
3.0
Summary Table
Function Converts To Example
int() Integer int(5.9) → 5
float() Float float(5) → 5.0
complex() Complex Number complex(5) → (5+0j)
str() String str(5) → "5"
Final Revision Points
Type Conversion means changing one data type into another.
Type Conversion can be Implicit (Automatic) or Explicit (Manual).
Casting is another name for Explicit Type Conversion.
Use int() , float() , complex() , and str() for casting.
int() removes the decimal part; it does not round.
complex() creates complex numbers but cannot be converted back to int or
float .
Import the random module to generate random numbers.
[Link](1, 10) returns a random integer from 1 to 9.
⭐ Overall Review
Your notes are now well-structured and suitable for:
✅ Beginners learning Python
✅ College (BCA/MCA) coursework
✅ Interview preparation
✅ Quick revision before exams
The flow progresses logically from Type Conversion → Casting → Differences →
Random Numbers → Examples → Summary, making it easy to understand and review
later.