Question

template<class CharType>
struct StringWithLength
{
    size_t    length;
    CharType* str_buf;
};

I want to add some comments on the field length. I have two choices:

#1. "The field length is the size of str_buf by the byte" 
    (Consider "The worker is paid by the hour")

#2. "The field length is the size of str_buf in bytes"

Which is more natural from the viewpoint of a native English speaker?

Thanks.

Answer 1

I wouldn’t use either. I’d say something like:

The value of the length field is the size of the buffer, in bytes.

The field itself isn’t “represented in bytes” any more than all data in a computer is. It’s the buffer size (or text size, or whatever) which is in bytes.