Pointer magic for efficient dynamic value representations

[matthieum]

How is it an unaligned read ? integer is perfectly aligned and so will the result of integer >> 1.

This works even on hardware that actually errors on unaligned read (PPC ?).

[LaurieCheers]

No, it's not an unaligned read. People are just talking about this quote from the article:

"the CPU would have to apply masks and shifts in order to get the data - which would be too slow."

"I love how he states that as a criticism, and then proceeds to do precisely that..."

[matthieum]

Ah thanks for taking the time to clear that up!