Understanding Memory Layout of Structs

Memory structures in the C programming language play a key role in understanding how data is stored and accessed in memory. When a structure is defined in C, the compiler determines how to place its members in memory based on alignment and padding rules.

Here's an overview of how basic memory allocation for structures works in C:

main


              123456789101112131415
            
#include <stdio.h>

// simple struct 
struct Test {
    char x; // 1 byte
    int y; // 4 bytes
};

int main() {
    struct Test example;
    printf("Size of struct Point: %zu\n", sizeof(example));
    printf("Address of p.x (char): %p\n", &example.x);
    printf("Address of p.y (int): %p\n", &example.y);
    return 0;
}

As expected, such a structure should occupy 5 bytes: 1 byte for int x, 4 bytes for int y, but this will be 8 bytes.

Why is the size of the structure much larger than we expected?

This occurs because the compiler can insert padding between members to ensure that each member begins at an address that is a multiple of its size.

Taak

Swipe to start coding

Create a structure with four char fields;
Initialize the structure and display its size in bytes;
Display the address of each field.

Oplossing

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Sectie 3. Hoofdstuk 1

Understanding Memory Layout of Structs

Here's an overview of how basic memory allocation for structures works in C:

main


              123456789101112131415
            
#include <stdio.h>

// simple struct 
struct Test {
    char x; // 1 byte
    int y; // 4 bytes
};

int main() {
    struct Test example;
    printf("Size of struct Point: %zu\n", sizeof(example));
    printf("Address of p.x (char): %p\n", &example.x);
    printf("Address of p.y (int): %p\n", &example.y);
    return 0;
}

As expected, such a structure should occupy 5 bytes: 1 byte for int x, 4 bytes for int y, but this will be 8 bytes.

Why is the size of the structure much larger than we expected?

This occurs because the compiler can insert padding between members to ensure that each member begins at an address that is a multiple of its size.

Taak

Swipe to start coding

Create a structure with four char fields;
Initialize the structure and display its size in bytes;
Display the address of each field.

Oplossing

Schakel over naar desktop voor praktijkervaringGa verder vanaf waar je bent met een van de onderstaande opties

Was alles duidelijk?

Bedankt voor je feedback!

Sectie 3. Hoofdstuk 1

Schakel over naar desktop voor praktijkervaringGa verder vanaf waar je bent met een van de onderstaande opties