Final answer:
Alignment in memory dictates how data is arranged to optimize access and minimize wasted space. The specific cases for 1, 2, 4, and 8 byte alignment are outlined.
Step-by-step explanation:
Alignment refers to the practice of arranging data in memory in a way that optimizes access and minimizes wasted space. The specific cases of alignment for 1, 2, 4, and 8 bytes are as follows:
1 byte alignment: No specific alignment requirement, as 1 byte data can be stored anywhere in memory.
2 byte alignment: The starting address of the data must be divisible by 2.
4 byte alignment: The starting address of the data must be divisible by 4.
8 byte alignment: The starting address of the data must be divisible by 8.