Easy Basics Question 83 of 208

What does sizeof return?

C++ interview set · Speak this in 60–90 seconds · Faridabad & Delhi NCR

PICTURE THIS: ARRAY IN MEMORY

01234

Index starts at 0. Scan once for max — O(n).

Simple meaning

The size in bytes of an object or type including padding.

1

WHY — Basics instead of guessing?

Why interviewers care about Basics:

Basics questions separate people

who only read docs from people who shipped.

Keep it short, concrete,

and tied to C++ work.

Stay structured

Name the idea, why it exists, then one short example.

Close cleanly

End with when you use it and one common pitfall.

2

STEPS — What happens step by step?

Before you speak the answer, walk the interviewer through these steps:

  1. 1
    The size in bytes

    of an object or type including padding.

  2. 2
    Pointer sizeof is the

    pointer width, not the array length.

  3. 3
    I never assume packed

    layouts without static_assert.

  4. 4
    Give an example

    One tiny concrete case you can say aloud.

  5. 5
    Common mistake

    What juniors usually get wrong.

  6. 6
    Close

    When you pick this over the alternative.

3

EXAMPLE — See it in action

Here's a short line you can speak, broken into clear beats:

Say this line
“Pointer sizeof is the pointer width, not the array length.”
Break into beats
Pointersizeofisthepointerwidth
Speaking order
2987408337471632900

Note: Adapt this scaffold to your own project — keep it under 60–90 seconds.

Key takeaway

The size in bytes of an object or type including padding. Pointer sizeof is the pointer width, not the array length.

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