Casting variables in Java

Question

I wonder if anyone could tell me how casting works? I understand when I should do it, but not really how it works. On primitive data types I understand partially bu

Answer 1

Casting a reference will only work if it's an instanceof that type. You can't cast random references. Also, you need to read more on Casting Objects.

e.g.

String string = "String";

Object object = string; // Perfectly fine since String is an Object

String newString = (String)object; // This only works because the `reference` object is pointing to a valid String object.