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Padding and Alignment

Learn how memory alignment affects data serialization and how to handle it safely

Ryan McCombe
Published
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Questions & Answers

Answers are generated by AI models and may not have been reviewed. Be mindful when running any code on your device.

Why Computer Memory Needs Padding
Why do we need padding at all? Can't the computer just read the bytes it needs?
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Consequences of Misaligned Memory
What happens if we try to read memory that isn't properly aligned?
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Memory Impact of Padding
Does padding waste a lot of memory in real programs?
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Understanding Natural Alignment
How do I know what the natural alignment of a type should be?
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CPU Architecture and Alignment
Do different CPU architectures handle alignment differently?
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Alignment with Virtual Functions
How does alignment work with inheritance and virtual functions?
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Understanding Union Alignment
How does alignment work with unions?
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SIMD and Memory Alignment
How does alignment work with SIMD instructions?
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