# 
#  Overview

In this shot, we'll learn how to convert a variable value from one data type to another.

#      
## Python casting
We can convert a variable value from one data type to another data type by **casting**.
Python, being an object-oriented programming language, uses classes to define data types.
Casting can be done in Python with constructor functions. 
The table below shows a list of some constructor functions in Python.

|Constructor function|Description|Example|
|:--|:---|:-----|
|`str()`|String data type constructor that helps construct a string from various data types that can include float literals, integer literals, strings, etc.| `string(2)`will become `'2'`|
|`int()`|Integer data type constructor that helps construct an integer from various data types including float literals, string literals, and integer literals.|`int(3.2)` will become `3`|
|`float()`|Float data type constructor that helps construct float numbers from string literals, integer literals, and float literals.|`float(3)` will become `3.0`|

Let's see some examples of how to specify the data type of a variable value.

##
## Example 1
Let's look at how to specify a string type.
 


# creating the variables and specifying the data type we want as a value
x = str(2)   
y = str(5.8) 
z = str("3") 

# returning our output
print("The value of str(2) is: ", x)
print("The value of str(5.8) is: ", y)
print('''The value of str("3") is:''', z) 

# 
## Example 2
Let's look at how to specify an integer type.

# creating the variables and specifying the data type we want as a value
x = int(2)   
y = int(5.8) 
z = int("3") 

# returning our output
print("The value of int(2) is: ", x)
print("The value of int(5.8) is: ", y)
print('''The value of int("3") is:''', z)

# 
## Example 3
Let's look at how to specify a float type.

# creating the variables and specifying the data type we want as a value
x = float(2)   
y = float(5.8) 
z = float("3") 

# returning our output
print("The value of float(2) is: ", x)
print("The value of float(5.8) is: ", y)
print('''The value of float("3") is:''', z)

#    
## Summary 
To change or convert the variable value of any data type to another data type, we must use the `int()`, `float()` or `str()` constructor functions.

How to specify a variable type in Python

Convert variable types in Python using int(), float(), and str() constructors.

Constructor function	Description	Example
`str()`	String data type constructor that helps construct a string from various data types that can include float literals, integer literals, strings, etc.	`string(2)`will become `'2'`
`int()`	Integer data type constructor that helps construct an integer from various data types including float literals, string literals, and integer literals.	`int(3.2)` will become `3`
`float()`	Float data type constructor that helps construct float numbers from string literals, integer literals, and float literals.	`float(3)` will become `3.0`