What are the differences between type hints and type annotations?

Can you explain the differences between type hints and type annotations?

Sure! Type hints are a way to indicate the expected data types of variables, while type annotations are the actual syntax used to specify these types in the code.

So, are type hints optional in Python?

Yes, type hints are optional in Python. They help with code readability and can assist tools like linters, but they don't enforce type checking at runtime.

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

Of course! Here's a simple example:

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

In this case, a and b are type hinted as integers, and the function is expected to return an integer.

What about type annotations in other programming languages?

Type annotations exist in many languages, like TypeScript and Java, where they serve similar purposes to improve type safety and code clarity.