C++ Bit Fields

What are bit-fields?

• Bit fields provide a mechanism to optimize memory usage by allowing to specify the exact number of bits required to store data.
• Quite useful in embedded programming like mobile phones where memory is limited.
  
• The declaration of bit field members follow the syntax "variable name : number of bits".
• Unnamed bit fields with width 0 are used for alignment of the next bit field to the field type boundary.

EXAMPLE: Demonstrate the usage of bit fields.

#include <iostream>
#include <assert>
using namespace std;

class MyTime {

 unsigned hour : 5;
 unsigned mins : 6;
 unsigned secs : 6;

public:

 void SetHour(int aHour) {
     assert ( aHour < 24 );
     hour = aHour;
 }

 void SetMins(int aMins) {
     assert ( aMins < 60 );
     mins = aMins;
 }

 void SetSecs(int aSecs) {
     assert ( aSecs < 60 );
     secs = aSecs;
 }

 void Print() {
     cout << hour << ":" << mins << ":" << secs << endl;
 }
};

int main()
{
 MyTime t;
 t.SetHour(12);
 t.SetMins(58);
 t.SetSecs(23);
 t.Print();

 cout << "Size of MyTime = " << sizeof(t) << endl;
}

OUTPUT:-
12:58:23
Size of MyTime = 4

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