Dynamic_cast
dynamic_cast is a C++ run-time checked cast that converts pointers or references within an inheritance hierarchy and safely indicates incompatible conversions.
Object-Oriented Software Design in C++
dynamic_cast is a C++ run-time checked cast that converts pointers or references within an inheritance hierarchy and can fail safely for incompatible types.
- How it is used
- Uses run-time type checks to select matching subclasses while searching a heterogeneous catalogue of books.
- How deep it goes
- Explains pointer checking and conversion through a catalogue example, then stops at the resulting design complexity.
- Examples
- Uses Book, Fiction, Cookbook, Attributes, FictionAttrs, and Catalogue::find as concrete pointer-casting examples.
- What you can do after
- Evaluate and understand safe subclass selection while recognizing the coupling and change leaks introduced by repeated casts.
Read how Object-Oriented Software Design in C++ explains dynamic_cast →
100 C++ Mistakes and How to Avoid Them
dynamic_cast is a C++ run-time checked cast expression for converting within polymorphic class hierarchies or testing such conversions.
- How it is used
- Checks whether a base-class pointer or reference can safely represent a specified derived type at run time.
- How deep it goes
- Explains polymorphic prerequisites, pointer null results, reference exceptions, and runtime failure consequences.
- Examples
- Uses B and D classes, a base pointer, a checked downcast, and incompatible-downcast handling.
- What you can do after
- Apply dynamic_cast with pointer-result checks and recognize when polymorphic redesign is safer.
Read how 100 C++ Mistakes and How to Avoid Them explains dynamic_cast →
Related concepts
- downcastingaddresses · Downcasting is converting a value from a general type to a more specific compatible type, typically subject to runtime validation.
- static_castcontrasts with · static_cast is a C++ explicit conversion expression that performs compile-time-checked conversions between specified, related, or otherwise compatible types.
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