If I have a char array, and it's always written by the char array, can it be always reliably read by any combination of short/int/long pointers? As I understand, the compiler will see byte writes for all types, so readind shoulg be fine without violating any strict alias rules. Just can't write the array by any other type than char[] access. Right? char buf[8]; ... alter buf[] ... ((short*)buf)[x]; ((int*)buf)[y]; ((long*)buf)[z]; ... alter buf[] ... ((short*)buf)[x]; ((int*)buf)[y]; ((long*)buf)[z]; Thanks, Jason Mancini