sizeof and memory budgeting in Embedded C

Introduction

The sizeof operator helps you find out how much memory a variable or data type uses. This is important to plan and control memory use in small devices.

When you want to know how much memory a variable or data type takes.

When you need to allocate memory dynamically and want to avoid wasting space.

When you are working with limited memory in embedded systems and must budget carefully.

When you want to check the size of arrays or structures to avoid overflow.

When you want to write portable code that adapts to different hardware sizes.

Syntax

Embedded C

sizeof(expression_or_type)

The sizeof operator returns the size in bytes.

You can use it with a variable, a data type, or an expression.

Examples

Finds the size of the int type in bytes.

Embedded C

sizeof(int)

Finds the size of the variable myVariable. Parentheses are optional here.

Embedded C

sizeof myVariable

Finds the total size of the array in bytes (number of elements x size of each element).

Embedded C

sizeof(array)

Finds the size of a structure type MyStruct.

Embedded C

sizeof(struct MyStruct)

Sample Program

This program shows how to use sizeof to find the size of different types and variables. It also calculates how many elements are in an array by dividing the total size by the size of one element.

Embedded C

#include <stdio.h>

int main() {
    int a = 10;
    char b = 'x';
    double c = 3.14;
    int arr[5];

    printf("Size of int: %zu bytes\n", sizeof(int));
    printf("Size of variable a: %zu bytes\n", sizeof a);
    printf("Size of char: %zu bytes\n", sizeof(char));
    printf("Size of variable b: %zu bytes\n", sizeof b);
    printf("Size of double: %zu bytes\n", sizeof(double));
    printf("Size of variable c: %zu bytes\n", sizeof c);
    printf("Size of array arr: %zu bytes\n", sizeof arr);
    printf("Number of elements in arr: %zu\n", sizeof arr / sizeof arr[0]);

    return 0;
}

Important Notes

Sizes can vary depending on the hardware and compiler.

Use sizeof to avoid hardcoding sizes and make your code safer and portable.

Remember that sizeof returns size in bytes, which is the smallest addressable memory unit.

Summary

sizeof tells you how many bytes a type or variable uses.

It helps you plan memory use, especially in devices with limited memory.

Use it to find array sizes and avoid memory errors.

Practice

1. What does the sizeof operator in embedded C tell you?

easy

A. The number of bytes used by a data type or variable

B. The number of bits in a variable

C. The value stored in a variable

D. The memory address of a variable

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand the purpose of sizeof

   The sizeof operator returns the size in bytes of a data type or variable in memory.

2. Step 2: Differentiate from other concepts

   It does not give the value stored, bits count, or address, only the byte size.

3. Final Answer:

   The number of bytes used by a data type or variable -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   sizeof = bytes used [OK]

Hint: Remember: sizeof = bytes occupied in memory [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing bytes with bits
• Thinking sizeof returns variable value
• Mixing sizeof with pointer address

2. Which of the following is the correct syntax to get the size of the int data type in embedded C?

easy

A. sizeof(int);

B. sizeof int;

C. size_of(int);

D. sizeof[int];

Solution

1. Step 1: Recall correct sizeof syntax

   The sizeof operator requires parentheses around the variable or type name.

2. Step 2: Check each option

   sizeof(int); uses sizeof(int); which is correct syntax. Options B and D are invalid syntax, and C is not a valid operator.

3. Final Answer:

   sizeof(int); -> Option A

4. Quick Check:

   Use parentheses with sizeof [OK]

Hint: Always use parentheses with sizeof(variable) [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Omitting parentheses
• Using square brackets instead of parentheses
• Typing size_of instead of sizeof

3. Consider the code snippet:

char arr[10];
int total_size = sizeof(arr);

What is the value of total_size assuming char is 1 byte?

medium

A. 4

B. 40

C. 1

D. 10

Solution

1. Step 1: Calculate size of array

   The array arr has 10 elements of type char, each 1 byte.

2. Step 2: Multiply element size by count

   Total size = 10 elements * 1 byte = 10 bytes.

3. Final Answer:

   10 -> Option D

4. Quick Check:

   Array size = element count x sizeof(element) = 10 [OK]

Hint: Array size = number of elements x sizeof element [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Confusing element size with total size
• Assuming int size instead of char
• Using sizeof pointer instead of array

4. What is wrong with this code snippet?

int *ptr;
int size = sizeof(ptr) / sizeof(int);
ptr = malloc(size * sizeof(int));

medium

A. malloc is missing a cast to int*

B. sizeof(int) is incorrect, should be sizeof(ptr)

C. sizeof(ptr) returns pointer size, not array size

D. ptr is not initialized before sizeof

Solution

1. Step 1: Understand sizeof on pointer

   sizeof(ptr) returns the size of the pointer itself (usually 4 or 8 bytes), not the size of the array it points to.

2. Step 2: Identify the error in size calculation

   Dividing pointer size by sizeof(int) does not give the number of elements to allocate.

3. Final Answer:

   sizeof(ptr) returns pointer size, not array size -> Option C

4. Quick Check:

   Pointer size ≠ array size [OK]

Hint: sizeof(pointer) gives pointer size, not data size [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Using sizeof(pointer) to find array length
• Forgetting malloc returns void* needing cast (in C++)
• Assuming pointer is initialized before sizeof

5. You have a memory budget of 73 bytes. You want to store an array of 16-bit integers (short) and a struct:

struct Data {
  char flag;
  int value;
};

If short is 2 bytes, char 1 byte, and int 4 bytes, what is the maximum number of short elements you can store if you also need space for 5 Data structs?

hard

A. 22

B. 24

C. 26

D. 28

Solution

1. Step 1: Calculate size of one Data struct

   Size = size of char + size of int = 1 + 4 = 5 bytes.
   Assuming no padding for simplicity.

2. Step 2: Calculate total size for 5 Data structs

   5 structs x 5 bytes = 25 bytes.

3. Step 3: Calculate remaining memory for shorts

   Total budget 73 bytes - 25 bytes = 48 bytes left.

4. Step 4: Calculate max shorts fitting in remaining memory

   Each short is 2 bytes, so max elements = 48 / 2 = 24 elements.

5. Step 5: Consider struct padding

   Usually, struct Data will be padded to align int at 4 bytes:
   Layout: char flag (1 byte) + 3 bytes padding + int value (4 bytes) = 8 bytes per struct.
   Total for 5 structs = 5 x 8 = 40 bytes.

6. Step 6: Calculate remaining memory with padding

   73 - 40 = 33 bytes left for shorts.

7. Step 7: Calculate max shorts with padding

   33 bytes / 2 bytes per short = 16.5 -> 16 shorts.

8. Step 8: Re-examine options

   Options are larger than 16, so question expects total shorts + structs size ≤ 73.
   Try 24: 24 shorts x 2 bytes = 48 bytes + 5 structs x 8 bytes = 40 bytes -> 88 bytes (too big).

9. Step 9: Reconsider question intent

   Question asks max shorts if 5 structs also stored.
   So total memory = shorts size + structs size ≤ 73 bytes.
   Assuming no padding (5 bytes per struct), total structs = 25 bytes.
   73 - 25 = 48 bytes for shorts -> 48/2 = 24 shorts max.

10. Final Answer:

    24 -> Option B

11. Quick Check:

    Memory budget - structs size = shorts size [OK]

Hint: Subtract struct size from budget, divide remainder by short size [OK]

Common Mistakes:

• Ignoring struct padding/alignment
• Using pointer size instead of actual struct size
• Not subtracting struct memory before shorts calculation