Static_cast, dynamic_cast, reinterpret_cast, and const_cast

Source: Internet
Author: User

Use the Standard C ++ type conversion characters static_cast, dynamic_cast, reinterdivt_cast, and const_cast.

3.1 static_cast
Usage: static_cast <type-ID> (exdivssion)
This operator converts exdivssion to the Type-ID type, but there is no runtime type check to ensure the conversion security. It has the following usage:
① It is used to convert pointers or references between classes and subclasses in the class hierarchy.
It is safe to perform upstream conversion (converting the pointer or reference of a subclass to a base class;
When performing a downstream conversion (converting a base class pointer or reference to a subclass), it is not safe because there is no dynamic type check.
② It is used for conversion between basic data types. For example, convert int to Char and convert int to enum. The security of such conversions must also be ensured by developers.
③ Convert a null pointer to a null pointer of the target type.
④ Convert any type of expression to void type.

Note: static_cast cannot convert the const, volitale, or _ unaligned attributes of exdivssion.

3.2 dynamic_cast
Usage: dynamic_cast <type-ID> (exdivssion)
This operator converts exdivssion to an object of the Type-ID type. Type-ID must be a class pointer, class reference, or void *;
If type-ID is a class pointer type, exdivssion must also be a pointer. If type-ID is a reference, exdivssion must also be a reference.

Dynamic_cast is mainly used for upstream and downstream conversions between classes, and can also be used for cross conversions between classes.
When performing upstream conversion between classes,

Dynamic_cast and static_cast have the same effect;
Dynamic_cast provides the type check function for downstream conversions, which is safer than static_cast.
Class B {
Public:
Int m_inum;
Virtual void Foo ();
};

Class D: Public B {
Public:
Char * m_szname [100];
};

Void func (B * pb ){
D * pd1 = static_cast <D *> (PB );
D * Pd2 = dynamic_cast <D *> (PB );
}

In the above Code segment, if PB points to a D-type object, pd1 and Pd2 are the same, and it is safe to execute D-type operations on these two pointers;
However, if PB points to a B-type object, pd1 will be a pointer to this object, it is not safe to perform operations of the D type (for example, to access m_szname ),
Pd2 is a null pointer.

Note: B must have virtual functions; otherwise, compilation errors may occur. static_cast does not have this restriction.
This is because the runtime type check requires runtime type information, which is stored in the virtual function table of the class (
For more information about the concept of virtual function tables, see). Only classes that define virtual functions have virtual function tables,
Classes that do not define virtual functions do not have virtual function tables.

In addition, dynamic_cast also supports cross cast ). The following code is used.
Class {
Public:
Int m_inum;
Virtual void F (){}
};

Class B: Public {
};

Class D: Public {
};

Void Foo (){
B * pb = new B;
Pb-> m_inum = 100;

D * pd1 = static_cast <D *> (PB); // compile Error
D * Pd2 = dynamic_cast <D *> (PB); // Pd2 is null
Delete Pb;
}

In function Foo, using static_cast for conversion is not allowed,

An error occurs during compilation. The conversion using dynamic_cast is allowed and the result is a null pointer.

3.3 reindivter_cast
Usage: reindivter_cast <type-ID> (exdivssion)
Type-ID must be a pointer, reference, arithmetic type, function pointer, or member pointer.
It can convert a pointer to an integer, or an integer to a pointer (first, convert a pointer to an integer,
You can also obtain the original pointer value after converting the integer to the original type ).

This operator is used in many ways.

3.4 const_cast
Usage: const_cast <type-ID> (exdivssion)
This operator is used to modify the const or volatile attributes of the type. Apart from the const or volatile modifier, The type_id and exdivssion types are the same.
Constant pointers are converted to non-constant pointers and still point to the original object;
Constant reference is converted to a non-constant reference and still points to the original object. Constant object is converted to a non-constant object.

Voiatile and const classes. Take the following example:
Class B {
Public:
Int m_inum;
}
Void Foo (){
Const B B1;
B1.m _ inum = 100; // comile Error
B b2 = const_cast <B> (B1 );
B2. m_inum = 200; // fine
}
The above code will report an error during compilation, because B1 is a constant object and cannot be changed;
Using const_cast to convert it into a constant object, you can change its data members at will. Note: B1 and B2 are two different objects.

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