[ fromfile: types.xml id: whynotC-style ]

C-style casts are deprecated and should not be used anymore. Consider the following situation, quite similar to the previous example.

        Apple apple;
        Orange* orangeP;
        // other processing steps ...
        orangeP = (Orange*) &apple;
        orangeP->peel();
      

The problem is that you cannot tell from looking at this code whether the developer is aware that an Apple is compatible with an Orange. From looking at it, it is unclear whether this is a proper type conversion or a nonportable pointer conversion. Sure, they might both have peel() functions, but can you peel an Apple like an Orange?

Errors caused by such a cast can be difficult to understand and correct. If a system-dependent cast is necessary, it is preferable to use reinterpret_cast over a C-style cast so that, when troubles arise, it will be easier to spot the likely source of those troubles in the source.