Why use static_cast(x) instead of (int)x?

Question

I\'ve heard that the static_cast function should be preferred to C-style or simple function-style casting. Is this true? Why?

Answer 1

1. Allows casts to be found easily in your code using grep or similar tools.
2. Makes it explicit what kind of cast you are doing, and engaging the compiler's help in enforcing it. If you only want to cast away const-ness, then you can use const_cast, which will not allow you to do other types of conversions.
3. Casts are inherently ugly -- you as a programmer are overruling how the compiler would ordinarily treat your code. You are saying to the compiler, "I know better than you." That being the case, it makes sense that performing a cast should be a moderately painful thing to do, and that they should stick out in your code, since they are a likely source of problems.

See Effective C++ Introduction