Allocated size of object

[sharwell]

I would be interested in a combination of an analyzer and Visual Studio extension which estimates the size of an object when allocated. While the CLR is allowed to change the layout of types, a basic set of rules should be able to provide a good reference for the size of the object in most cases.

The analyzer would use the DiagnosticSeverity.Hidden flag, and then the data could be shown to the user via a Visual Studio extension that updates the Code Lens data associated with the type definition.

[ilmax]

+1

[pharring]

I like the idea. I've often wanted something like that myself. But it's tricky.
Some thoughts:

• Has to display the size assuming either a 32-bit or 64-bit runtime (i.e. reference type fields are pointer-sized).
• Generics? Should the result be expressed in terms of the size of unconstrained generic arguments?
• Has to know about backing fields created for auto-properties
• Has to traverse all base types, nested types, arrays, generic instantiations, etc.
• Has to honor explicit struct layout
• Has to make assumptions about the CLR's packing algorithm for auto-layout