A system, method, and computer program product are provided for efficient allocation of attributes corresponding to neurons or connections of multiple types using a common data structure. A map file is generated by a pre-processor in order to map an attribute of a neuron or connection to a particular location within the common data structure based on a type associated with the neuron or connection, while allowing a neuron or connection of a different type to map its own attribute to that same particular location. Additionally, kernel code can be written to reference attribute names made available by the map file in order to provide reusability of code.