What is Python typeof Function?

What Is Python's typeof function?

Python typeof is a built-in function that, depending on the arguments passed, returns the form of the objects/data elements stored in any kind of data or returns a new type object.

The Python type() function returns information about the data structures used to store data elements in a program. For storing data elements, we do not explicitly specify the variable's data type in Python. As a result, we can use Python's built-in type() function to determine what type of data is stored in a variable. Python type() is a built-in function that prints the type of function parameters based on their arguments.

Syntax of the Python typeof Function

The Python typeof function is a built-in function that returns the type of an object. And this function is a polymorphic function, which means it can take arguments of any type and return a value of any type.

The typeof function is typically used for debugging purposes, to help identify the type of an object. It can also be used to check the type of the argument passed to a function. In python, type() is used to get the type of an object.

Syntax:

While single argument passed- type (object)

While triple argument passed - type (name, bases, dict)

• When a single argument is passed, then this function returns the same type of object.
• When three arguments are passed, then this function returns a new type of object.

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Examples of typeof

The type() function allows you to determine the data type of a variable or parameter. For example, the following code prints "int" when called on the input "5":

Input 

x = 5
print(type(x))
s = 'xyz’
print(type(s))
from collections import OrderedDict
od = OrderedDict()
print(type(od))
class Data:
pass
d = Data()
print(type(d))

Output

<class 'int'>
<class 'str'>
<class 'collections.OrderedDict'>
<class '__main__.Data'>

The type () function returns the type of the object with the module name. But our Python script doesn’t have a module, so this script module becomes __main__.

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Python type() With a Single Parameter

If you have a single parameter, the Python typeof function will return the type of that parameter. You can use this to check whether a parameter is a string, an integer, a list, etc. 

For example, if you have a variable x that is set to "Hello", you can use type (x) to check that it is a string.

Python type() With Three Parameters:

When the function is used with three parameters, type() returns the name of the type of an object passed as the second parameter. The first parameter is the name of the object, and the third parameter is the name of the type.

Syntax:

type (name, bases, dict)

Here, 

• name specifies the class name,
• base specifies the base classes,
• dict specifies the dictionary, which helps to create the base class.

Applications

• In Python, humans do not declare the variable's data type. We define the variable directly and store the values in it. We can use this Python built-in function to determine which variable contains which type of data. This function is beneficial for debugging.
• It allows us to create classes and their attributes dynamically during program execution. Passing three arguments to the type() function can accomplish this. 
• The Python type() function can also create SQL tables in a database.

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Real-Life Usage of the type() Function

• Python's type() function can be helpful when debugging your code, or when you're trying to figure out why a particular object isn't behaving as you expect.
• The type() function is also useful for checking the data type of a variable before using it in a program, which helps to avoid errors and improves the efficiency of the program. 

For example, the type() function can be used to check the data type of a string before concatenating it with another string. If the data type is not a string, the concatenation will not be executed, and an error will be thrown.

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Conclusion

Understanding Python's `type()` function is fundamental for effective type checking and debugging in your code. This powerful tool helps you identify the data types of your variables, ensuring that your programs run smoothly and efficiently. Mastering the `type()` function allows you to write more robust and error-free Python scripts.

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FAQs

1. What is the use of the type function?

Python type( is a built-in function that returns the type of data stored in the program's objects or variables. For example, if a variable has a value of 45.5, the variable's type is float. Another example: if variable'subj' holds the value 'Python,' the type of'subj' is a string. The dictionary data type also creates dynamic classes and their attribute values.

2. How do you get typeof in Python?

To determine the type of a variable in Python, use the built-in type() function. In Python, everything is an object. As a result, when you use the type() function to print the type of a variable's value to the console, it returns the class type of the object.

3. What is type code in Python?

The typecode character that was used to generate the array. The internal representation of one array item's length in bytes. Add a new item with the value x to the array's end. Return a tuple (address, length) containing the current memory address and the length of the buffer used to hold the array's contents in elements.

4. What is type class in Python?

type is a metaclass, and classes are instances of it. Any new category in Python, and therefore any class in Python 3, is an instance of the type metaclass, just as any ordinary object is an instance of a class.

5. What does the type function return?

The result of a function is referred to as its return value, and the data type of the return value is referred to as its return type. Whether or not a function returns a value, its declaration and definition must include a return type.

6. How to Check if Type Is String in Python?

To check if a variable is a string in Python, you can use the isinstance() function. This function checks if an object is an instance or subclass of a specified class. For example:

var = "Hello, World!"

if isinstance(var, str):

    print("var is a string")

This code snippet checks if var is of type str and prints a confirmation message if it is.

7. How do you print type in Python?

In Python, you can print the type of a variable using the type() function. This function returns the type of the object passed to it. For example:

var = 42

print(type(var))

This will output <class 'int'>, indicating that var is an integer.

8. What Is the Difference Between typeof and instanceof in Python?

In Python, typeof and instanceof are not actual keywords or functions. However, similar functionality can be achieved using type() and isinstance().

• type() returns the type of an object but does not check inheritance:

var = 42

print(type(var))  # Output: <class 'int'>

• isinstance() checks if an object is an instance of a class or a subclass thereof:

var = 42

print(isinstance(var, int))  # Output: True

isinstance() is generally preferred for type checking, especially in the context of class inheritance.