Thread: How to interpret char* into a struct?

If I have a char* which I know contains data already and want to interpret this data as a struct, how can I safely do this?

E.g if I have

Code:

struct s
{
    int i;
    float f;
    short s;
};

char* c;
...
// c points to valid data now

I know you can't do

Code:

struct s* data = (struct s*)c;

as this violates strict aliasing rules so I was wondering if the safest way would be to use memcpy assuming the struct is packed?

Code:

struct s data;
memcpy(&data, c, sizeof(struct s));

Also is casting to

Code:

void*

first then the struct allowed?

Code:

struct s* data = (struct s*)(void*)c;

Thanks

Originally Posted by Salem

The memcpy is the only way to go.

Thanks