> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://hopemoore.gitbook.io/coding-for-creatives/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://hopemoore.gitbook.io/coding-for-creatives/glossary/variables/casting-a-variable.md).

# Casting a Variable

Sometimes, you can use a variable in multiple ways:

* Float as a integer
* Integer as a float
* "" can be false or 0
  * This is called an **empty string**

Other times, the variable has to be **cast** into another type using an extra step.

This varies widely among languages, so it's best to look it up.

**Examples:**

*Processing example:*

```java
float amount = 1.0;
int amountAsInt = int(amount);

// now amountAsInt can be used where an integer is needed
```

*C# example:*

```csharp
int count = 3;
string countAsString = count.ToString();

// now countAsString can be used where a string is needed
```

*Python example:*

```python
count = 3
countAsFloat = float(count)

# now countAsFloat can be used where a float is needed
```