Getting the size of an array of structs

Hello,

I am just wondering as I have seen this in some sample code. And when I was looking at it more carefully I am wondering if two would do the same job in getting the correct size of the array structure.

Code:

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static const unsigned int NUMBER_OF_PORTS = 2;
struct PORTS
{
        unsigned int portID;
    unsigned int portType;

} port[NUMBER_OF_PORTS];

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My structure has 2 unsigned int (keeping it simple) 4 bytes each. And the array is only 2 elements.

So my idea of the actual size of the array is this. (2 * 4) = (unsigned int * bytes) = 8.
The array size is 2. So that gives us 2 * 8 = 16.

The above structure is 16 bytes total. So with the code below sizeof(port) would be correct size.

Code:

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std::cout << "portID: " << sizeof(unsigned int) << std::endl; // 4 bytes
std::cout << "port: " << sizeof(port) << std::endl; //16 bytes
std::cout << "PORT: " << sizeof(PORT) << std::endl; //8 bytes

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Now, I have sent this in a sample C++ program

Code:

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memset(port, 0, NUMBER_OF_PORTS * sizeof(PORT)); //Will give 16 bytes

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Now with what I have mentioned above. Would it not be possible to have this instead?

Code:

---

memset(port, 0, sizeof(port));

---

I think this is more clear and more efficient as there is no calculation to perform.

Am I correct with my thinking.

Thanks,

Assuming that port is visible as an array (not passed in as a pointer), that should give you the same result, yes.

It's not more efficient, though, because the calculation is most likely performed at compile time anyway.

Also, as a tip, for arrays, you should use std::tr1::array, if you can.