Type Annotations vs Inference: What's the Difference?

What are type annotations and how do they differ from type inference?

Type annotations are explicit declarations of variable types, while type inference allows the compiler to deduce types automatically.

Can you give me an example of type annotations in Python?

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

And how does type inference work in a language like TypeScript?

In TypeScript, type inference automatically determines the type of a variable based on its value. For example, let num = 5; infers that num is of type number.

Are there any advantages to using type annotations over inference?

Yes, type annotations can improve code readability and help catch errors early, while inference can reduce verbosity and make code cleaner.