CODEWITHSUNDEEP
cbytesizeofbit
zubergu
zubergu

Reputation: 3706

Number of bits in basic data type

Here's a couple of thoughts.I'm learning so there might be mistake(s) and even missing some basics.

  1. sizeof operator returns number of bytes.
  2. number of bits in byte is not constant value(correct me but it's number of bits char has).
  3. I want to know how many bits variable occupies, and sizeof won't tell me that without making assumptions about number of bits in char.

So I came up with this piece of (probably unnecessary) code:

#include <stdio.h>
#include <math.h>
#include <limits.h>

int main(void)
{
  double bits;

  bits=sizeof(int)*log10(UCHAR_MAX+1)/log10(2);

  printf("Bits = %lf\n", bits);

  return 0;
}

Is there easier (standard) way to check how many bits given type occupies?
CHAR_BIT * sizeof(type) will do the job, but is there standard one argument macro/function that does that for me?
Someone with better mathematical background could check if my code will be always giving correct answers.

Upvotes: 1

Views: 1545

Answers (4)

int3
int3

Reputation: 658

char data type is a byte. a int is 4bytes (dword). short is 2bytes (word). so, how many bits? just sizeof(the_char)*8. when you want to convert bytes to bits just bits_number=bytes_number*8 :)

Upvotes: 0

drahnr
drahnr

Reputation: 6886

If you want to check for how many bits the machine actually used for a single char use the CHAR_BIT macro (note that sizeof (char) will always return one by definition though the actual allocation size per char may be still taller (even 32bits) though wasteful)

I am not aware of any predefined macro, but 

#define REAL_BITS(type) (CHAR_BIT*sizeof(type))

should suffice

Upvotes: 2

user694733
user694733

Reputation: 16033

const size_t numberOfBits = CHAR_BIT * sizeof(type);

Upvotes: 3

Daniel
Daniel

Reputation: 5381

Using CHAR_BIT (defined in limits.h) should do it.

CHAR_BIT * sizeof(something)

I have checked a number of *nix platforms and they are all 8 bits in a byte, but I guess it may vary on some stranger platforms.

Upvotes: 1

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