Python int() function

The int() function in Python is used when we need to convert any specified value into an integer value. For example:

x = 12.43
print(int(x))
x = "132"
print(int(x))

The output will be:

12
132

Python int() function syntax

The syntax of the int() function in Python is:

int(val, base)

where val refers to a number or a string that has to be converted into an integer object, and base refers to the base of the returned number.

Note: The default value of val is 0, whereas the default value of base is 10. The default value of base is 10, which indicates that the returned value will be in the decimal number system.

Python int() function example

Here is an example of the int() function in Python:

print(int('101', 2))
print(int('71', 8))
print(int('123', 10))
print(int('A', 16))

The output will be:

5
57
123
10

because:

• The binary equivalent of 5 is 101.
• The octal equivalent of 57 is 71.
• The decimal equivalent of 123 is 123.
• The hexadecimal equivalent of 10 is A.

Note: Providing no parameter to int() gives 0.

Note: Most of the time, the int() function is used to get integer input using int(input()), because the input() function treats every user input as a string by default.

Advantages of the int() function in Python

• As a standard part of Python, the "int()" function is always available to programmers.
• The "int()" function is useful because it can be used to convert other numeric types, such as strings and floats, into integers.
• Converting non-integer variables to integers with the "int()" function can be useful in some situations.

Disadvantages of the int() function in Python

• The "int()" function truncates the decimal part of the number when converting a float to an integer, which results in lost data. This could be a problem in circumstances where accuracy is essential.
• If the input string or value cannot be transformed into an integer, the "int()" function may raise a ValueError. It is crucial to appropriately handle these exceptions as a result.
• Only certain numbers can be converted into integers using the "int()" function. The function may return an error or an unexpected output if the input value is either too large or too small.

Python Online Test