dynamic_cast fails when cast a base class to derived class - c++

Question

I have two classes, base class and a derived class.
The base class has a virtual method.
Here is my test example:
class Base
{
public:
virtual void Hello() { cout << "-> Hello Base" << endl; }
};
class Derived: public Base
{
public:
void Hello() { cout << "-> Hello Derived" << endl; }
};
int main()
{
Base *mBase = new Base;
// something to do
....
Derived *mDerived = dynamic_cast<Derived*>(mBase);
mDerived->Hello();
return 0;
}
I'm looking to use the Hello() method of the class derived after the cast of mBase to mDerived.
But the problem is that when I try to use dynamic_cast it will crash the application, if not if I use reinterpret_cast the Hello() method of the Base class will be called.
Result in the case dynamic_cast:
Segmentation fault (core dumped)
Result in the case dynamic_cast:
-> Hello Base

Answer 1

dynamic_cast fails when cast a base class to derived class
This is what is supposed to happen. When you dynamic cast a pointer to an object whose dynamic type is not the casted type, then you get a null pointer as the result.
In your example, you indirect through the null pointer and attempt to call a member function which results in undefined behaviour.
When using dynamic cast, you must always check whether you got null or not.
if I use reinterpret_cast...
Then the behaviour will still be undefined because you'll be indirecting through a pointer to an object that does not exist. Unless you create an instance of the derived class, you cannot call its non static member function.
You can convert a base instance into a derived one like this for example:
Base b;
Derived d = b;
What happens is that the base sub object of the derived instance is copy initialised from b.

Answer 2

Two problems in your code: Base should have a virtual destructor so Dervied isntances can be properly destructed via a pointer to Base. Then, you are not constructing an object of type Derived, so the cast cannot succeed. dynamic_cast can fail and you should check its result for not being a nullptr. Also you forgot to delete the created object.
If you do create an instance of type Derived your code works:
#include <iostream>
using std::cout;
using std::endl;
class Base
{
public:
virtual void Hello() { cout << "-> Hello Base" << endl; }
virtual ~Base(){}
};
class Derived: public Base
{
public:
void Hello() { cout << "-> Hello Derived" << endl; }
};
int main()
{
Base* mBase = new Derived;
Derived *mDerived = dynamic_cast<Derived*>(mBase);
if (mDerived) mDerived->Hello();
delete mBase;
}