Converting (void*) to std::vector

Question

I have a (void*) buffer that I need to convert to std::vector before I can pass it on. Unfortunately, my C++ casting skills a

Answer 1

You will need the length of the buffer. Once you do, we can do this:

unsigned char *charBuf = (unsigned char*)voidBuf;
/* create a vector by copying out the contents of charBuf */
std::vector v(charBuf, charBuf + len);

Okay, the comment got me started on why I did not use reinterpret_cast:

• In C++, the C-style cast is a convenience function -- it asks the compiler to choose the safest and most portable form of conversion over the set of available cast operators.

• The reinterpret_cast is implementation defined and should always be the last thing on your mind (and used when you are necessarily doing a non-portable thing knowingly).

• The conversion between (unsigned doesn't change the type) char * and void * is portable (you could actually use static_cast if you are really picky).

The problem with the C-style cast is: the added flexibility can cause heartaches when the pointer type changes.

Note: I agree with the general convention of not casting as much as possible. However, without any source provided, this is the best I could do.