ToString() and Casting

Question

In this program ToString() method is function as casting, because it is converting one data type to other. I wish to know whether my understanding is correct.

using System;

class Program
{
static void Main()
{
int a = 4000;

string a1 = a.ToString();

Console.WriteLine(a1);

Console.ReadKey();
}
}

Jignesh Trivedi · Answer

hi Yes your understanding is correct.... agree with vulpes use Convert.Tostring method instead of ToString method because it able to handle null value....

Maha · Answer

Thank you for your explanation.

Vulpes · Answer

In a strict sense within the context of C# casting means anything which requires the use of the () casting operator or the 'as' operator. Off the top of my head this includes: // conversion of basic numeric types double d = 2.0; int i = (int)d; // unboxing value types object o = 3; int i = (int)o; // recovering a derived class reference from a parent class variable Derived d = new Derived(); Parent p = d Derived d2 = (Derived)p; // or if 'p' might be null you can avoid an exception with: Derived d3 = p as Derived;

Maha · Answer

That means in a strict sense word casting is used for converting similar types (eg: from value type to value or from reference type to reference)

Vulpes · Answer

I would prefer the term conversion to casting as int and string are unrelated types but in a broad sense yes you're right.