interpret_bytes.c

#include <stdio.h>

typedef struct {
    short short1;
    short short2;
} some_struct;

int main() {
    // In memory: 48 65 6c 6c 6f 00 48 69 00
    char *bytes = "\x48\x65\x6c\x6c\x6f\x00\x48\x69\x00";

    long *longVal = (long*) bytes;
    int *intVal = (int*) bytes;
    short *shortVal = (short*) bytes;
    char *charVal = (char*) bytes;
    some_struct *structVal = (some_struct*) bytes;

    // Remember endianness…
    printf("string: %s\n", bytes);
    printf("string: %s\n", bytes+6);
    printf("long: %lx\n", *longVal);
    printf("int: %x\n", *intVal);
    printf("short: %x\n", *shortVal);
    printf("char: %x\n", *charVal);
    printf("struct short1: %x\n", structVal->short1);
    printf("struct short1: %x\n", structVal->short2);
    return 0;
}