implicit type conversion

programming (Or "coercion") The abilty of some compilers

to automatically insert type conversion functions where an

expression of one type is used in a context where another type

is expected.

A common example is coercion of integers to reals so that

an expression like sin(1) is compiled as sin(integerToReal(1))

where sin is of type Real -@# Real.

A coercion is usually performed automatically by the compiler

whereas a cast is an explicit type conversion inserted by

the programmer.

See also subtype.

(1997-07-28)