Microsoft Certified Solutions Developer (MCSD) Certification Practice Test

What keyword is used to perform explicit type conversion in C#?

1. implicit

2. explicit

3. convert

4. cast

The correct answer is: explicit

The keyword used for explicit type conversion in C# is "explicit." When using this keyword, the programmer is required to define a conversion operator when there is potential for data loss or when converting between incompatible types. This ensures that the programmer is fully aware of the implications of the conversion. In practice, when you define an explicit conversion operator in a class, it allows for converting instances of that class to another type using a cast expression. The explicit keyword thus enforces that the developer consciously acknowledges the conversion, avoiding any accidental or implicit conversions which could lead to runtime errors or unexpected behavior. The other options focus on different aspects of type conversion. For instance, although "cast" is commonly used in practice to refer to the action of converting types, it does not denote a specific keyword in C#. "Convert" refers to methods that may perform conversions but are not keyword-specific. "Implicit" is another keyword that denotes automatic conversion without needing explicit confirmation from the developer, and pertains to scenarios where type safety is managed without manual casts.