When should I use type annotation?

What is type annotation and why is it important?

Type annotation is a way to explicitly specify the data type of a variable in programming. It's important because it helps with code readability, debugging, and can prevent type-related errors.

When should I actually use type annotations in my code?

You should use type annotations when you want to improve code clarity, when working in large codebases, or when using static type checkers like MyPy.

Are there any downsides to using type annotations?

Yes, type annotations can make the code more verbose and may require additional effort to maintain, especially in dynamic languages.

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

Sure! In Python, you can annotate a function like this: def add(a: int, b: int) -> int: which specifies that both parameters are integers and the return type is also an integer.