static cast

In C++ type conversion, the static_cast operator performs an explicit type conversion.^[1]

Syntax

static_cast<type> (object);

The type parameter must be a data type to which object can be converted via a known method, whether it be a builtin or a cast. The type can be a reference or an enumerator. All types of conversions that are well-defined and allowed by the compiler are performed using static_cast.^[2]

The static_cast operator can be used for operations such as:

• Converting a pointer of a base class to a pointer of a nonvirtual derived class,
• Converting numeric data types such as enums to ints or ints to floats.

Although static_cast conversions are checked at compile time to prevent obvious incompatibilities, no run-time type check is performed that would prevent a cast between incompatible data types, such as pointers. Also, the result of a static_cast from a pointer of a virtual base class to a pointer of a derived class is undefined.

See also

• dynamic cast
• reinterpret_cast
• const_cast

References

1. Programming: Principles and Practice Using C++. United States of America: Addison-Wesley. 2008. p. 594. ISBN 0321543726.
2. Thinking in C++. United States of America: Alan Apt. 2000. p. 857. ISBN 0-13-979809-9.