sizeofTTvalue

sizeofTTvalue is a naming convention used in libraries that define a TTValue, a variant type capable of holding multiple primitive types and composite data. The function or macro returns the number of bytes required to store a TTValue instance in a contiguous representation, or the serialized form, depending on the library's convention. It is distinct from the in-memory size of the TTValue object (for example, the compile-time sizeof(TTValue) in C/C++) because TTValue often stores payloads in dynamically allocated memory or uses variable-length encodings.

Typical behavior: for simple types, the result equals the fixed type size plus any small header; for strings, arrays, or maps, the result includes length fields and the payload; for nested TTValue values, you may add the sizes of contained items; the function may also account for alignment or padding if the target representation requires it.

Implementation notes: usually implemented as a switch on the internal type tag, summing the sizes of scalar data and any dynamic content. Some implementations exclude overhead such as reference counts or metadata not transmitted or stored, depending on the intended use.

Usage: used during serialization, network transfer, or pre-allocation when packing a TTValue into a buffer. It helps estimate required space and ensure buffer safety.

Considerations: size is not a fixed property across all TTValue instances; dynamic content can change with user input; and different platforms may change representation for serialized forms, so portable code uses the same serialization format.