The NEXT function returns an integer value  that  indicates  the
  number of bytes that would be allocated for one component of the
  specified type in an unpacked array or if the specified variable
  appeared as the cell in an unpacked array.

  Syntax:

     NEXT( x )

  The parameter 'x' can be a type identifier or variable.

  Cells in an unpacked array are affected by alignment  attributes
  and,  by default, are byte or naturally aligned.  Therefore, the
  size returned includes the actual size of the type or  variable,
  in   addition  to  trailing  space  required  to  ensure  proper
  alignment.