static_cast vs dynamic_cast

Question

Suppose I\'m given a C++ library full of inheritance. I\'m given a Base* in a function when I know that it is actually pointing to a Derived object and

Answer 1

From MSDN -

In general you use static_cast when you want to convert numeric data types such as enums to ints or ints to floats, and you are certain of the data types involved in the conversion. static_cast conversions are not as safe as dynamic_cast conversions, because static_cast does no run-time type check, while dynamic_cast does. A dynamic_cast to an ambiguous pointer will fail, while a static_cast returns as if nothing were wrong; this can be dangerous. Although dynamic_cast conversions are safer, dynamic_cast only works on pointers or references, and the run-time type check is an overhead.

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