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c++pointerscastingdword

C++ Pointer as DWORD

In C++, can I simply cast a pointer to a DWORD?

MyClass * thing;
DWORD myPtr = (DWORD)thing;

Would that work?

Solution

  • You undoubtedly can do it.

    Whether it would work will depend on the environment and what you want it to do.

    On 32-bit Windows1 (the most common place to see DWORD) it'll normally be fine. On a 64-bit Windows (where you also see DWORD, but not nearly as much) it generally won't.

    1. Or, more accurately, when compiled as a 32-bit executable that will run as a 32-bit process, regardless of the actual copy of Windows you happen to run that on.