Why casting pointer is unsafe if casting for example from long to float

Question

Long var=10;
Float*ptr=(floa*)&var;

Answer 1

Found this nice answer on StackOverflow

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/30276645/typecasting-int-pointer-to-float-pointer

Casting a value and casting a pointer are different scenarios. Casting a pointer changes the way to refer to the type value, which can almost certainlyresult in a mis-alignment in most of the cases.

As per C11 standard document, chapter §6.3.2.3

A pointer to an object type may be converted to a pointer to a different object type. If the resulting pointer is not correctly aligned for the referenced type, the behavior is undefined.

Answer 2

Both are depending on the compiler, but a pointer is the same size no matter what it points to. On most 32 bit compiler a pointer is 4 bytes while on 64 bit they are typically 8 bytes.

Answer 3

In general yes. But, It depends on the compiler... I think 🤔
Bcz size of pointer depends on memory size, like 32 bit, 16 bit etc., int size is specific to compiler.

Hope this helps....

Answer 4

Louis thanks A lot👌
I got it💪
Can u tell me is there is a difference between the size of pointer and int?
Thanks in advance