test.cpp

#include <iostream>

int main()
{
   float f(32767);              // 32768
   signed short sshf = static_cast<signed short>(f);
   signed short rshf = *(reinterpret_cast<signed short*>(&f));

   std::cout << "As float: "
             << f << " (" << sizeof(float) << ")\n"
             << "Static cast as signed short: "
             << sshf << " (" << sizeof(signed short) << ")\n"
             << "Reinterpret as signed short: "
             << rshf << " (" << sizeof(signed short) << ")\n";
}