Description: Smart casting in Kotlin refers to a type conversion mechanism that occurs automatically when the compiler can guarantee the type of an object. This means that instead of requiring the programmer to perform an explicit conversion, the compiler evaluates the context and determines if it is safe to perform the cast. This approach not only simplifies the code but also reduces the possibility of runtime errors, as the compiler checks the necessary conditions to ensure the type is correct. Smart casting is primarily used with types that are subtypes of a class hierarchy, such as in the case of interfaces and abstract classes. When using a type operator like ‘is’, the compiler can infer the type of the object within a code block, allowing the programmer to work with the specific type without needing to perform a manual cast. This feature is one of the many that make Kotlin a safer and more concise language compared to other programming languages, facilitating the writing of cleaner and more readable code.
