What are the differences between type inference and type annotation?

What are the differences between type inference and type annotation?

Type inference is when the compiler automatically determines the type of a variable, while type annotation is when the programmer explicitly specifies the type.

Can you give me an example of type inference?

Sure! In Python, if you write x = 10, the interpreter infers that x is an integer.

And what about type annotation?

In Python, you can use type annotation like this: def add(a: int, b: int) -> int: which specifies that both parameters and the return type are integers.

Are there any advantages to using type annotations?

Yes, type annotations can improve code readability, help with static type checking, and make it easier to understand the expected types of variables.