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What does "cast" mean in programming?
cast is one of the most common terms in software development. This guide explains what it means, how it is used in practice, and why it matters, with real examples from the developer world.
Definition
To convert a value from one type to another. In TypeScript the 'as' keyword performs a type cast. In other languages you use explicit cast syntax like (int) value.
Example
"const n = value as number; // TypeScript type cast using 'as'"
Word forms
| Form | Type | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|---|
| cast | verb (infinitive) | To convert a value to a different type | "You can cast a number to a string using String(n)." |
| cast | past tense | Converted a value to a different type | "The value was cast to an integer before the comparison." |
| casting | gerund | Converting a value to a different type | "Casting a float to an int truncates the decimal part." |
Related terms
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