Force cast

force_cast.cpp

#include <iostream>

template <typename T, typename U>
constexpr inline T &force_cast(U &u) { return (*reinterpret_cast<T *>(&u)); }

template <typename T, typename U>
constexpr inline const T &force_cast(const U &u) { return (*reinterpret_cast<const T *>(&u)); }

struct foo { int value = 123; };

int main()
{
    auto a = 1.23f;
    auto b = force_cast<int>(a);
    auto c = force_cast<decltype(a)>(b);
    auto d = force_cast<foo>(456);
    
    std::cout << a << std::endl; 
    std::cout << b << std::endl; 
    std::cout << c << std::endl; 
    std::cout << d.value << std::endl; 
    
    return 0;
}