8.11.3 Aligned Variable Attribute

The aligned (n) attribute instructs the compiler to align the variable on the next n byte boundary.

The aligned attribute can also be used on a structure member. Such a member will be aligned to the indicated boundary within the structure.

If the alignment value n is omitted, the alignment of the variable is set 8 (the largest alignment value for a basic data type).

Note that the aligned attribute is used to increase the alignment of a variable, not reduce it. To decrease the alignment value of a variable, use the packed attribute.