Casting expressions are utilized to convert one data type to another, such as transforming an integer into a string. This is especially crucial in
strongly typed languages like C, C++, C#, Java, Python, and others.
However, there are instances where casting expressions are not needed. These include situations like:
- casting a variable to its own type
- casting a subclass to a parent class (in the case of polymorphism)
- the programming language is capable of automatically converting the given type to another
These scenarios are considered unnecessary casting expressions. They can complicate the code and make it more difficult to understand, without
offering any advantages.
As a result, it’s generally advised to avoid unnecessary casting expressions. Instead, rely on the language’s type system to ensure type safety and
code clarity.
Exceptions
In some rare cases, a redundant cast might be justifiable. For example, when casting from platform dependant types: your cast might be redundant on
one platform but not on the others.
