[boost] numeric_cast

I am wondering about the use-case of numeric_cast in this sample. unsigned char uchar_max = std::numeric_limits<unsigned char>::max(); char schar_value = 0; try { schar_value = boost::numeric_cast<char>( uchar_max ); } catch ( boost::bad_numeric_cast ) { std::cout << "Overflow occurred..." << std::endl; } When I execute this sample, I don't get the exception. What's the background on this behavior? I'm using gcc 3.3.1. John