When should static_cast, dynamic_cast, const_cast and reinterpret_cast be used?

const_cast

can be used to remove or add const to a variable. This can be useful if it is necessary to add/remove constness from a variable.

static_cast

This is used for the normal/ordinary type conversion. This is also the cast responsible for implicit type coercion and can also be called explicitly. You should use it in cases like converting float to int, char to int, etc.

dynamic_cast

This cast is used for handling polymorphism. You only need to use it when you're casting to a derived class. This is exclusively to be used in inheritance when you cast from base class to derived class.

reinterpret_cast

This is the trickiest to use. It is used for reinterpreting bit patterns and is extremely low level. It's used primarily for things like turning a raw data bit stream into actual data, or storing data in the low bits of an aligned pointer.

Ankith Reddy

Published on 15-Mar-2019 07:16:28

• Related Questions & Answers
• When should static_cast, dynamic_cast, const_cast and reinterpret_cast be used in C++?
• Dynamic_cast and static_cast in C++
• Regular cast vs. static_cast vs. dynamic_cast in C++
• When to use new operator in C++ and when it should not be used?
• Regular cast vs. static_cast vs. dynamic_cast in C++ program
• When should Capital Cash Flow (CCF) approach be used in evaluating a project?
• When should a Call Option be exercised?
• When should a Put Option be exercised?
• How should strace be used on Linux?
• When should a sequential model be used with Tensorflow in Python? Give an example
• Among id, name, xpath and css, which locator should be used?
• Which equals operator (== vs ===) should be used in JavaScript?
• Which MySQL Datatype should be used for storing BloodType?
• Which equals operator (== vs ===) should be used in JavaScript comparisons
• What HTML5 tag should be used for filtering search results.