When you turn on the Relaxed Pointer Type Rules option in the C/C++ Language Panel, the compiler treats char* and unsigned char* as the same type. While prototypes are checked for compatible pointer types, direct pointer assignments will be allowed.

This option is especially useful if you're using code written before the ANSI/ISO C standard. Old source code frequently uses these types interchangeably.

This option has no effect on C++. When compiling C++ source code, the compiler differentiates char* and unsigned char* data types even if the relaxed pointer option is on.

The Relaxed Pointer Type Rules option corresponds to the pragma mpwc_relax. To check whether this option is on, use __option (mpwc_relax).

See also "mpwc_relax," and "Checking Options."