adplus-dvertising
frame-decoration

Question

Why do compilers usually align data structure member sizes to the processor's word size?

a.

To save memory

b.

To improve performance

c.

To make the data structure easier to read

d.

None of the above

Posted under Reverse Engineering

Answer: (b).To improve performance Explanation:Even though data structure member sizes might be smaller than the processor’s native word size, compilers usually align them to the processor’s word size to improve performance.

Engage with the Community - Add Your Comment

Confused About the Answer? Ask for Details Here.

Know the Explanation? Add it Here.

Q. Why do compilers usually align data structure member sizes to the processor's word size?

Similar Questions

Discover Related MCQs

Q. Why is it not worthwhile to create a 1-bit-long data member in a 32-bit-aligned structure?

Q. What is the smallest unit that 32-bit processors can directly address?

Q. Why would assigning a full byte to a Boolean still result in a significant performance penalty?

Q. What kind of data structures can you expect to see mostly when reversing with most compilers?

Q. What is an array?

Q. Why are array accesses generally easy to detect when reversing?

Q. How can an array be confused with a conventional data structure?

Q. What are generic data type arrays?

Q. How is the index of a generic data type array managed?

Q. What is a data structure array?

Q. What is a significant disadvantage of using linked lists compared to arrays?

Q. Why are linked lists a popular method of arranging a list in memory?

Q. What is the most significant difference between an array and a linked list from a reversing standpoint?

Q. What is the memory overhead associated with linked lists?

Q. What is the main advantage of arrays over linked lists?

Q. What are singly linked lists?

Q. What is the purpose of using linked lists in programs?

Q. What is the disadvantage of using linked lists?

Q. How are items in linked lists arranged in memory?

Q. What is the difference between singly linked lists and doubly linked lists?