Rust for C-Programmers

16.1 Introduction to Type Conversions

16.1.1 Implicit vs. Explicit Conversions

In many programming languages, type conversions can occur implicitly. For example, integers might automatically be converted to floating-point numbers during arithmetic operations. Rust, however, does not perform implicit type conversions. This design choice ensures type safety and makes all conversions explicit, requiring the developer to clearly indicate when a type transformation occurs.

16.1.2 Rust’s Philosophy on Type Safety

Rust’s strict type system prioritizes safety and clarity. Conversions between types must either:

• Be explicitly requested, such as with the as keyword or the Into and From traits.
• Be designed to handle potential errors explicitly, such as with TryFrom and TryInto.

This philosophy helps avoid subtle bugs caused by unintended type coercion.