arrays - C memory allocations -

i wondering how c compiler allocated memory character array initialize yourself, instance:

char example[] = "an example string";

if single character 8 byte, example 17 bytes or have more because needs \0to finish off?

or overestimate how memory needs?

this code:

#include <stdio.h>  int main(void) {     char example[] = "an example string";     printf("%zu", sizeof(example)); }

compiled with:

gcc -std=c99 -o proof proof.c

returns:

18 (bytes, not bits)

because of \0 character @ end of string

Braziel