What is the difference between duck typing and static typing?

Can you explain the difference between duck typing and static typing?

Sure! Duck typing is a concept in dynamic languages where the type of an object is determined by its behavior (methods and properties) rather than its explicit type. Static typing, on the other hand, requires the type of a variable to be defined at compile time.

Can you give me an example of duck typing in Python?

Absolutely! In Python, if you have a function that expects an object to have a 'quack' method, it doesn't matter what the actual type of the object is, as long as it has that method. This is duck typing: 'If it looks like a duck and quacks like a duck, it's a duck.'

What are the advantages of static typing?

Static typing can catch type errors at compile time, which can lead to fewer runtime errors. It also improves code readability and maintainability by making the types explicit.

Are there any disadvantages to duck typing?

Yes, one disadvantage is that errors related to type mismatches may only be caught at runtime, which can lead to unexpected behavior if not properly tested.