Pragma Component_Alignment (GNAT Reference Manual)

### 2.34 Pragma Component_Alignment ¶

Syntax:

    pragma Component_Alignment (
         [Form =>] ALIGNMENT_CHOICE
      [, [Name =>] type_LOCAL_NAME]);

    ALIGNMENT_CHOICE ::=
      Component_Size
    | Component_Size_4
    | Storage_Unit
    | Default

Specifies the alignment of components in array or record types. The meaning of the `Form` argument is as follows:

‘Component_Size’

  Aligns scalar components and subcomponents of the array or record type on boundaries appropriate to their inherent size (naturally aligned). For example, 1-byte components are aligned on byte boundaries, 2-byte integer components are aligned on 2-byte boundaries, 4-byte integer components are aligned on 4-byte boundaries and so on. These alignment rules correspond to the normal rules for C compilers on all machines except the VAX.

‘Component_Size_4’

  Naturally aligns components with a size of four or fewer bytes. Components that are larger than 4 bytes are placed on the next 4-byte boundary.

‘Storage_Unit’

  Specifies that array or record components are byte aligned, i.e., aligned on boundaries determined by the value of the constant `System.Storage_Unit`.

‘Default’

  Specifies that array or record components are aligned on default boundaries, appropriate to the underlying hardware or operating system or both. The `Default` choice is the same as `Component_Size` (natural alignment).

If the `Name` parameter is present, `type_LOCAL_NAME` must refer to a local record or array type, and the specified alignment choice applies to the specified type. The use of `Component_Alignment` together with a pragma `Pack` causes the `Component_Alignment` pragma to be ignored. The use of `Component_Alignment` together with a record representation clause is only effective for fields not specified by the representation clause.

If the `Name` parameter is absent, the pragma can be used as either a configuration pragma, in which case it applies to one or more units in accordance with the normal rules for configuration pragmas, or it can be used within a declarative part, in which case it applies to types that are declared within this declarative part, or within any nested scope within this declarative part. In either case it specifies the alignment to be applied to any record or array type which has otherwise standard representation.

If the alignment for a record or array type is not specified (using pragma `Pack`, pragma `Component_Alignment`, or a record rep clause), the GNAT uses the default alignment as described previously.