cDEC$ PACK Specifies the memory starting addresses of derived-type items. It takes the following form: cDEC$ PACK:[{1 | 2 | 4}] c Is one of the following: C (or c), !, or *. Items of derived types and record structures are aligned in memory on the smaller of two sizes: the size of the type of the item, or the current alignment setting. The current alignment setting can be 1, 2, 4, or 8 bytes. The default initial setting is 8 bytes (unless a compiler option specifies otherwise). By reducing the alignment setting, you can pack variables closer together in memory. The PACK directive lets you control the packing of derived-type or record structure items inside your program by overriding the current memory alignment setting. For example, if CDEC$ PACK:1 is specified, all variables begin at the next available byte, whether odd or even. Although this slightly increases access time, no memory space is wasted. If CDEC$ PACK:4 is specified, INTEGER(1), LOGICAL(1), and all character variables begin at the next available byte, whether odd or even. INTEGER(2) and LOGICAL(2) begin on the next even byte; all other variables begin on 4-byte boundaries. If the PACK directive is specified without a number, packing reverts to the compiler option setting (if any), or the default setting of 8. The directive can appear anywhere in a program before the derived-type definition or record structure definition. It cannot appear inside a derived-type or record structure definition. For compatibility, !MS$PACK can be used in place of cDEC$ PACK. Examples: Consider the following: ! Use 4-byte packing for this derived type ! Note PACK is used outside of the derived-type definition !DEC$ PACK:4 TYPE pair INTEGER a, b END TYPE ! revert to default or compiler option !DEC$ PACK: