Given various methods for determining byte order on different platforms, the following can be used in C++ to find the byte order across platforms.
static const uint32_t bytes = 0x03020100ul; static const unsigned lo = *(const unsigned char*)&bytes; Unfortunately, the value of 'lo' is determined at pre-run rather than at compile time. It would be useful if the compiler could determine the value of 'lo' so as to eliminate constant logical tests and jumps. -- Summary: static initialisation through pointer deferred until run time Product: gcc Version: 4.2.4 Status: UNCONFIRMED Severity: enhancement Priority: P3 Component: c++ AssignedTo: unassigned at gcc dot gnu dot org ReportedBy: ajrobb at bigfoot dot com GCC build triplet: i486-linux-gnu GCC host triplet: i486-linux-gnu GCC target triplet: i486-linux-gnu http://gcc.gnu.org/bugzilla/show_bug.cgi?id=37949