How can I use type hints in Python 3.10 for API development?

How can I use type hints in Python 3.10 for API development?

In Python 3.10, you can use type hints to improve code readability and help with static type checking. For example, you can specify the types of function parameters and return values, which is especially useful in API development.

Can you give me an example of a function with type hints?

Sure! Here's a simple example:

from typing import List, Dict

def get_user_data(user_id: int) -> Dict[str, str]:
    return {'user_id': str(user_id), 'name': 'John Doe'}

This function takes an integer user_id and returns a dictionary with string keys and values.

What are the benefits of using type hints?

Type hints help catch errors early, improve code documentation, and enhance IDE support for autocompletion and type checking.

Are there any limitations to using type hints?

Yes, type hints are optional and not enforced at runtime, so they won't prevent type errors during execution. They also require additional learning for developers unfamiliar with them.