Type casting in a managed code system is described. The managed code system includes managed memory as well as shared memory located outside of the managed memory. The managed memory has multiple managed memory portions, each corresponding to a computing entity, such as a processes. The type system permits obtaining of data from shared memory using type casting to thereby assign the data a type that supports type casting. The type is a valid type casting type that satisfies certain requirements that allow the type to be assigned while maintaining type safety.