Do not convert pointer to pointer

A cast should not be performed between a pointer to object type and a different pointer to object type (misra2004_11_4_DoNotConvertPointerToPointer.rule)


Description:

"A cast should not be performed between a pointer to object type and a different pointer to object type. Conversions of this type may be invalid if the new pointer type requires a stricter alignment."

Note: This rule skips casting of void type.

Benefits:

Prevents incorrect pointer alignment.

Example:

void foo( ) {
   int* pi;
   char* i;

   i = (char*) pi; // Violation
   i = (char*) &i; // Violation
}

Repair:

Do not convert pointer to different pointer.

References:
MISRA-C:2004 Guidelines for the use of the C language in critical systems
Chapter 6, Section 11

Author
ParaSoft


Tags: cast, pointer, void, pointer alignment, MISRA, critical systems