Unsafe raw pointer from weak_ptr - safety guaranteed by context

Question

I am storing a weak_ptr for avoiding circular structure, and I know that in some particular context the shared_ptr is still valid.

Can I get the raw pointer from weak_ptr without casting to shared_ptr (which involves memory write)?

(note: this is not a duplicate of How to maintain a weak pointer to a parent in C++? , I am specifically asking about an unsafe way, not about getting the pointer as such)

Answer 1

Can I get the raw pointer from weak_ptr without casting to shared_ptr

No.

NB you don't "cast" you construct a shared_ptr from the weak_ptr .

(which involves memory write)?

What do you mean here? Creating a shared_ptr will increment a reference count, is that what you're referring to?