Python Type Hints: Declaring Static Types for Readable Code

What is Python Type Hinting?

Type hints in Python are optional annotations that declare the expected types of variables and function parameters. They improve readability, help other developers understand your code, and allow static type checkers to identify potential type mismatches.

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Why Use Type Hinting?

Type hints help to catch errors early by enforcing consistency in data types. For example, when developing software to calculate monthly expenses in a Filipino household, specifying the type of each input variable as float or int can prevent issues if someone mistakenly inputs an incompatible type.

Syntax

  • Use variable: type to annotate variables.
  • For functions, define define def function (parameter: type) -> return_type.

Example

Let’s say you want to calculate the average expense of a Filipino Family and want to ensure proper type you can do it with type hints.

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