holotko wrote:
> Let's say I want to dynamically allocate some memory to an object that
> I am creating using malloc(). Traditionally I do the following:
>
> ObjectType *objectpointer; /* Decl. of pointer to object */
>
> objectpointer = (ObjectType *)malloc(sizeof(ObjectType));
>
> My question. Do I really need to add the type cast (ObjectType *)
> before the call to malloc() ?
In ANSI C, no. In K&R C yes.
> Traditionally I have always been taught to include the cast. However,
> some references say that a cast was ONLY required in earlier versions
> of C prior to standard ANSI C. Nonetheless I always type cast as that
> is how I have done it for years and years. Do I really need the cast?
ANSI C defines malloc() as returning a `void *', while K&R C defines
it as returning a `char *'. You can implicitly cast to or from void
pointers, but casting between other pointer types requires a cast.
> More precisely, do I really need the cast using gcc?
Not if you're using an ANSI libc (e.g. any of the ones which are used
on Linux).
--
Glynn Clements <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
