Casting - GCSE Computer Science Definition

In the context of GCSE Computer Science, "casting" refers to the process of converting a piece of data from one data type to another within a computer program. This is essential when performing operations that require matching data types or when transforming data types for the correct interpretation of results. For example, casting can involve converting an integer to a string to enable text-based manipulation, or turning a float into an integer to simplify calculations that don't require decimal precision. Understanding casting helps ensure that programs run smoothly without errors related to data type mismatches.