$cast usage

The $cast system task can be used to assign values to variables that might not ordinarily be valid because of differing data type. $cast can be called as either a task or a function.

The syntax for $cast is as follows:

function int $cast( singular dest_var, singular source_exp );

or

task $cast( singular dest_var, singular source_exp );

The dest_var is the variable to which the assignment is made.
The source_exp is the expression that is to be assigned to the destination variable.

Use of $cast as either a task or a function determines how invalid assignments are handled.
When called as a task, $cast attempts to assign the source expression to the destination variable. If the assignment is invalid, a run-time error occurs, and the destination variable is left unchanged.
When called as a function, $cast attempts to assign the source expression to the destination variable and returns 1 if the cast is legal. If the cast fails, the function does not make the assignment and returns 0. When called as a function, no run-time error occurs, and the destination variable is left unchanged.