Type Conversion in C

6/16/24, 11:00 AM Type Conversion in C
Type Conversion in C
The C compiler attempts data type conversion, especially when dissimilar data types
appear in an expression. There are certain times when the compiler does the
conversion on its own (implicit type conversion) so that the data types are
compatible with each other. On other occasions, the C compiler forcefully performs
the conversion (explicit type conversion), which is carried out by the type cast
operator.
Implicit Type Conversion in C

In C, implicit type conversion takes place automatically when the compiler converts
the type of one value assigned to a variable to another data type. It typically
happens when a type with smaller byte size is assigned to a "larger" data type. In
such implicit data type conversion, the data integrity is preserved.
While performing implicit or automatic type conversions, the C compiler follows the
rules of type promotions. Generally, the principle followed is as follows −
Byte and short values: They are promoted to int.

If one operand is a long: The entire expression is promoted to long.
If one operand is a float: The entire expression is promoted to float.
If any of the operands is double: The result is promoted to double.
Integer Promotion
Integer promotion is the process by which values of integer type "smaller" than int
or unsigned int are converted either to int or unsigned int.
Example
Consider an example of adding a character with an integer −
#include <stdio.h>
int main(){
int i = 17;
https://www.tutorialspoint.com/cprogramming/c_type_conversion.htm 1/8
char c = 'c'; /* ascii value is 99 */
int sum;
sum = i + c;
printf("Value of sum: %d\n", sum);
return 0;
}
Output
When you run this code, it will produce the following output −
Value of sum: 116
Here, the value of sum is 116 because the compiler is doing integer promotion and
converting the value of "c" to ASCII before performing the actual addition operation.
Usual Arithmetic Conversion

Usual arithmetic conversions are implicitly performed to cast their values to a
common type. The compiler first performs integer promotion; if the operands still
have different types, then they are converted to the type that appears highest in the
following hierarchy −
Example
Here is another example of implicit type conversion −
#include <stdio.h>
int main(){
char a = 'A';
float b = a + 5.5;
printf("%f", b);
return 0;
}
Output
Run the code and check its output −
70.500000
When the above code runs, the char variable "a" (whose int equivalent value is 70) is
promoted to float, as the other operand in the addition expression is a float.
Explicit Type Conversion in C

When you need to covert a data type with higher byte size to another data type
having lower byte size, you need to specifically tell the compiler your intention. This
is called explicit type conversion.
C provides a typecast operator. You need to put the data type in parenthesis before
the operand to be converted.
type2 var2 = (type1) var1;
Note that if type1 is smaller in length than type2, then you don’t need such explicit
casting. It is only when type1 is greater in length than type2 that you should use the
typecast operator.
Typecasting is required when we want to demote a greater data type variable to a

comparatively smaller one or convert it between unrelated types like float to int.
Example
Consider the following code −
#include <stdio.h>
int main(){
int x = 10, y = 4;
float z = x/y;
printf("%f", z);
return 0;
}
Output
On running this code, you will get the following output −
2.000000
While we expect the result to be 10/4 (that is, 2.5), it shows 2.000000. It is because
both the operands in the division expression are of int type. In C, the result of a
division operation is always in the data type with larger byte length. Hence, we have
to typecast one of the integer operands to float, as shown below −
Example
Take a look at this example −
#include <stdio.h>
int main(){
int x = 10, y = 4;
float z = (float)x/y;
printf("%f", z);
return 0;
}
Output
2.500000
If we change the expression such that the division itself is cast to float, the result
will be different.
Typecasting Functions in C
The standard C library includes a number of functions that perform typecasting.
Some of the functions are explained here −
The atoi() Function
The atoi() function converts a string of characters to an integer value. The function is
declared in the stdlib.h header file.
Example
The following code uses the atoi() function to convert the string "123" to a number
123 −
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
int main(){
char str[] = "123";

int num = atoi(str);
printf("%d\n", num);
return 0;
}
Output
123
The itoa() Function
You can use the itoa() function to convert an integer to a null terminated string of
characters. The function is declared in the stdlib.h header file.
Example
The following code uses itoa() function to convert an integer 123 to string "123" −
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
int main(){
int num = 123;

char str[10];
itoa(num,str, 10);
printf("%s\n", str);
return 0;
}
Output
123
Other examples of using typecasting include the following −
The malloc() Function − The malloc() function is a dynamic memory allocation

function.
Int *ptr = (int*)malloc(n * sizeof(int));
In function arguments and return values − You can apply the typecast operator
to formal arguments or to the return value of a user-defined function.
Example
Here is an example −
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>
float divide(int, int);
int main(){
int x = 10, y = 4;
float z = divide(x, y);
printf("%f", z);
return 0;
}
float divide(int a, int b){
return (float)a/b;
}
Output
When you run this code, it will produce the following output −
2.500000
Employing implicit or explicit type conversion in C helps in type safety and improved
code readability, but it may also lead to loss of precision and its complicated syntax
may be confusing.

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6/16/24, 11:00 AM Type Conversion in C

Implicit Type Conversion in C

Byte and short values: They are promoted to int.

Consider an example of adding a character with an integer −

char c = 'c'; /* ascii value is 99 */

printf("Value of sum: %d\n", sum);

Value of sum: 116

Usual Arithmetic Conversion

Here is another example of implicit type conversion −

Run the code and check its output −

Explicit Type Conversion in C

type2 var2 = (type1) var1;

Typecasting is required when we want to demote a greater data type variable to a

Consider the following code −

On running this code, you will get the following output −

Take a look at this example −

Run the code and check its output −

The atoi() Function

char str[] = "123";

Run the code and check its output −

The itoa() Function

int num = 123;

Run the code and check its output −

Other examples of using typecasting include the following −

The malloc() Function − The malloc() function is a dynamic memory allocation

Int *ptr = (int*)malloc(n * sizeof(int));

float divide(int, int);

float divide(int a, int b){

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Int ptr = (int)malloc(n * sizeof(int));