how about sizeof(((type *)1)->member) ?

[Doug Gwyn]

In article <2550111 at hpisod2.HP.COM> decot at hpisod2.HP.COM (Dave Decot) writes:
>OK, fine.  My what a tiresome language.  Here:
>    sizeof(((struct foo *)(sizeof(struct foo)))->member)

The constraint is not imposed by the language, but rather by the
available computer architectures.  Since C permits the programmer
to get "close" to the architecture, these warts become more
visible than in some higher-level languages.

The reason offsetof() is specified as part of a conforming
implementation in the C Standard is to keep programmers from
trying to concoct their own non-portable invention for this.