c++c++11move-semanticsstatic-caststdmove

is there any difference between static cast to rvalue reference and std::move

The description for static cast says

If new_type is an rvalue reference type, static_cast converts the value of expression to xvalue. This type of static_cast is used to implement move semantics in std::move.(since C++11)

Does this confirm that the following are equivalent ?

(A)

X x1;
X x2 = static_cast<X&&>(x1);

(B)

X x1;
X x2 = std::move(x1);
Solution

  • Yes there is a very important difference: std::move documents what you want to do. In addition the cast is prone to writing errors like a forgotten & or wrong type X.

    As it can be seen, std::move is even less to type.