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dynamic memory allocation (2)

The document explains two methods of memory allocation: static and dynamic. Static memory allocation occurs at compile time and can lead to wastage of memory, while dynamic memory allocation occurs at runtime and allows for flexible memory usage through functions like malloc, calloc, realloc, and free. The main advantage of dynamic memory allocation is efficient memory usage, but it requires careful management by the programmer to avoid memory leaks.

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2 views

dynamic memory allocation (2)

The document explains two methods of memory allocation: static and dynamic. Static memory allocation occurs at compile time and can lead to wastage of memory, while dynamic memory allocation occurs at runtime and allows for flexible memory usage through functions like malloc, calloc, realloc, and free. The main advantage of dynamic memory allocation is efficient memory usage, but it requires careful management by the programmer to avoid memory leaks.

Uploaded by

aryananand548
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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DYNAMIC MEMORY ALLOCATION

Memory allocation for variables can be done by 2


methods-
 Static memory allocation/Compile –time allocation.
 Dynamic memory allocation/Run-time allocation.

Static memory allocation


Static memory allocation is an allocation technique which
allocates a fixed amount of memory for variables during
compile time.
Operating system internally uses a data structure known as
STACK to manage this.
Stack memory is allocated during compilation time execution.
This is known as static memory allocation.
Eg – int A[10]={11,22,33,44,55,66,77,88,99,100}
Eg – int A[100]={1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10}
here 2x100=200 bytes of memory is allocated to array A but only 10 elements are input i.e
2x10=20 bytes is used remaining 200-20=180 bytes of memory is wastage and that memory
cannot used by program
Disadvantage of static memory allocation
We can't change the size of a variable which is allocated at
compile-time.
Less efficient.
Lots of space wastage in case of large array size.
Need of Dynamic Memory allocation
To avoid the problem of Static Memory Allocation, there is a
need of Dynamic Memory Allocation.

Dynamic Memory Allocation- Dynamic memory allocation is


an allocation technique which allocates a user required amount
of memory for variables during Run-time.
HEAP memory is allocated during Run-time execution. This is
known as Dynamic memory allocation.
Dynamic memory allocation is implemented with the help of
POINTER.
C language provides different functions to achieve runtime
memory allocation like- malloc( ), calloc( ), realloc( ) and free( ).

All these functions are available in <stdlib.h> library.


To allocate memory – (1) malloc( ) (2) calloc( )
To resize the memory – realloc( )
To delete memory- free( )

Note- Dynamic memory allocation function return Pointer to


Void type which can be TypeCast to any Data-type.
Note-The main advantage of using dynamic memory allocation
is preventing the wastage of memory.
Note- The main disadvantage of dynamic memory allocation is
that memory must be free by programmer otherwise it give bugs
which is difficult to find.
1.malloc( )
malloc( ) – malloc stands for memory allocation.
The malloc( ) function reserves a single block of memory of the
specified number of bytes and return void Pointer.
malloc( ) take single argument.
malloc( ) initialize Garbage value to the allocated memory.

Syntax
ptr = (cast_type *) malloc (byte_size);
or
ptr = (void *) malloc (byte_size);

Eg- ptr = (int*) malloc(100*sizeof(int));


A memory of 200 bytes is allocated b/c size of int is 2 bytes and
pointer ptr hold the address of first byte of allocated memory.
Note- If memory is not created than pointer ptr assign to NULL.
2. Calloc( )
calloc( ) stands for contiguous allocation.
calloc( ) is used to allocate a multiple/ n blocks of memory of
same size.
calloc( ) takes 2 arguments.
calloc( ) initializes all bytes to zero.
Syntax

ptr = (castType*)calloc(n, size);


or
ptr = (void *)calloc(n, size);

Eg- ptr = (int*) calloc(100, sizeof(int));

The above statement allocates contiguous space in memory for


100 elements of type int
3.free( )
Dynamically allocated memory created with either malloc( ) or
calloc( ) doesn't get freed on their own. At the end of program
programmer must free the pointer ptr using free( )
Syntax
free(ptr);
This statement frees the space allocated in the memory pointed
by ptr

4.realloc( )
realloc( ) stands for reallocation of memory.
Realloc( ) can add or delete the memory which is created by
malloc( ) or calloc( ) while leaving the original content as it is.
Syntax
ptr = realloc (ptr, newsize);

The above statement allocates a new memory space with a speci


fied size in the variable newsize. The new size can be larger or s
maller than the previous memory.

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