Type Conversion & Type Casting

Type Conversion

Type conversion is converting one type of data to another type. It is also known as Type Casting. In C#, type casting has two forms −

Implicit type conversion − These conversions are performed by C# in a type-safe manner. For example, are conversions from smaller to larger integral types and conversions from derived classes to base classes.

Explicit type conversion − These conversions are done explicitly by users using the pre-defined functions. Explicit conversions require a cast operator.



 C# Type Conversion Methods : 

Sr.No.	Methods & Description
1	ToBoolean Converts a type to a Boolean value, where possible.
2	ToByte Converts a type to a byte.
3	ToChar Converts a type to a single Unicode character, where possible.
4	ToDateTime Converts a type (integer or string type) to date-time structures.
5	ToDecimal Converts a floating point or integer type to a decimal type.
6	ToDouble Converts a type to a double type.
7	ToInt16 Converts a type to a 16-bit integer.
8	ToInt32 Converts a type to a 32-bit integer.
9	ToInt64 Converts a type to a 64-bit integer.
10	ToSbyte Converts a type to a signed byte type.
11	ToSingle Converts a type to a small floating point number.
12	ToString Converts a type to a string.
13	ToType Converts a type to a specified type.
14	ToUInt16 Converts a type to an unsigned int type.
15	ToUInt32 Converts a type to an unsigned long type.
16	ToUInt64 Converts a type to an unsigned big integer.

Type Casting

The meaning of Type Casting is to change one data type into another data type. Developers change data type according to their need.

Types of casting in C#

1. Implicit Conversion

2. Explicit Conversion

Implicit Conversion

Implicit Conversion is done by the compiler itself.

private void ImplicitClick_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)  

{  

    int firstValue = 25;  

    int secondValue = 26;  

    long result = firstValue + secondValue;  

    //MessageBox.Show(result.ToString());         

} 

Explicit Conversion

Explicit Conversion is done by the users according to their need/requirement. We tell the compiler to do the conversion. 

private void btnCast_Click(object sender, EventArgs e)  

{  

    int firstName = int.Parse(txtFirstNumber.Text);  

    int secondName = int.Parse(txtSecondNumber.Text);

    MessageBox.Show((firstName + secondName).ToString());  

}