What are some examples of static type checking in Python?

What are some examples of static type checking in Python?

Static type checking in Python can be done using type hints and tools like mypy. For example, you can define a function with type hints like this:

def add(a: int, b: int) -> int:
    return a + b

Here, a and b are expected to be integers, and the function is expected to return an integer.

Can you explain how to use mypy for type checking?

Sure! To use mypy, first install it using pip:

pip install mypy

Then, you can run mypy on your Python files to check for type errors. For example:

mypy your_script.py

What are the benefits of using static type checking?

The benefits include catching type errors early, improving code readability, and enabling better IDE support for autocompletion and refactoring.

Are there any limitations to static type checking in Python?

Yes, since Python is dynamically typed, static type checking may not catch all runtime errors, and type hints are optional, which can lead to inconsistencies.