That''s because C/C++ compilers align data to a certain datasize size(speed reason). looks like your is set to 2 bytes.

For instance:

struct { short x; char y; short z;}for the compiler becomesstruct { short x; char y; char __padding_added_by_compiler; short z;} 

I don''t know which compiler you are using but look for "packing alignment" or "structure alignment".
set the packing to 1 byte will work as you were expecting.
however IMHO relying on structure packing is a bit dangerous, if you are passing the same struct between DLLs. You forget to set the same packing in each DLL, is gonna be fun to find out why wierd stuff starts happening.

ciao
Alberto

-----------------------------
The programming language Squirrel
http://squirrel.sourceforge.net

The compiler reserves the right to tack a few ''filler'' bytes on the end (and/or in the middle of) structs to make them a nice convenient size for the hardware.

Look up ''#pragma pack'' if you really really need it to not do this.

"Without deviation, progress itself is impossible." -- Frank Zappa

Structs are "padded" with empty bytes to ensure that their members are aligned properly in memory. Since the first member is a 2-byte value, it needs to be located at an even address (presumably according to the compiler options). The extra byte is added so that the second element of an array would start on an even address rather than an odd address.
Padding is also added between member variables for the same reason.

John Bolton
Page 44 Studios
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