struct is saving 4 bytes instead of 2

[TonyB]

Using UBUNTU python 2.4.3 I'm using struct to save a variable to a
file. My goal is to save it as a 2 byte signed integer. Its being
saved using:

f.write(struct.pack('h',thevariable))

When I inspect the file with a hex editor it show that the variable is
being saved as 4 bytes. How can I make it save the value as 2 bytes?

Tony

[Bjoern Schliessmann]

TonyB wrote:

When I inspect the file with a hex editor it show that the
variable is being saved as 4 bytes. How can I make it save the
value as 2 bytes?

Use an aligment specifier in the format string (you want "standard"
alignment). See:

http://docs.python.org/lib/module-struct.html

Regards,
Björn

--
BOFH excuse #428:

Firmware update in the coffee machine

[TonyB]

On Sep 12, 6:45 pm, Bjoern Schliessmann <usenet-
[e-mail]:

TonyB wrote:

When I inspect the file with a hex editor it show that the
variable is being saved as 4 bytes. How can I make it save the
value as 2 bytes?

Use an aligment specifier in the format string (you want "standard"
alignment). See:

http://docs.python.org/lib/module-struct.html

Regards,

Björn

--
BOFH excuse #428:

Firmware update in the coffee machine

Björn,

I tried

f.write(struct.pack('=h',thevariable))

and it works. Many thanks,
Tony

[Bjoern Schliessmann]

TonyB wrote:

I tried

f.write(struct.pack('=h',thevariable))

and it works.

Great! :)

Regards,
Björn

--
BOFH excuse #45:

virus attack, luser responsible