What is the difference between these two ways to cast. 1st: float x = 5.4f; int y = 0; y = (int)x; 2nd: float x = 5.4f; int y = 0; y = static_cast(x); I read in this c++ tutorial thing that comes w/ MS VC++ 6.0 and it says the static_cast is a ''better'' way of casting as the old way, (int)x, is error prone? Why is that?

quote: Original post by Snyper

What is the difference between these two ways to cast.

1st:

float x = 5.4f;
int y = 0;

y = (int)x;

2nd:

float x = 5.4f;
int y = 0;

y = static_cast(x);

I read in this c++ tutorial thing that comes w/ MS VC++ 6.0 and it says the static_cast is a ''better'' way of casting as the old way, (int)x, is error prone? Why is that?

In the generated code, there should be no difference.

The reason the static_cast<int>(x) is "better" is for sanity sake. The compiler, with these casts, can perform extra checks for you. It''s a way to restrict your actions and create safer code, besides being immediately readable and self-documenting in the source code.

There are four new-style C++ casts:

const_cast
static_cast
dynamic_cast
reinterpret_cast

Each has a particular use. const_cast only lets you change the const-ness or volatile-ness of the type. reinterpret_cast will change any pointer type into any other pointer type, or pointers to/from integers. static_cast and dynamic_cast are similar, the difference being that static_cast is checked at compile type while dynamic_cast is checked at run-time.


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