The problem in the example you give is the need for the cast in the first place. If `func` were a `PyCFunctionObject *` instead of a `PyObject *`, then there would be no cast.


Making the casts explicit serves as a reminder that a type check is needed.

```
PyObject *func = ...;
int flags = PyCFunction_GET_FLAGS(func);
```

is dangerous.

```
PyObject *obj = ...;
if (PyCFunction_Check(obj)) {
    PyCFunctionObject *func = (PyCFunctionObject *)obj;
    int flags = func->m_ml->ml_flags;
```

is safe.