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Dynamic Memory Allocation in C

The document discusses dynamic memory allocation in C. It covers functions like malloc(), calloc(), and realloc() that allocate memory at runtime. malloc() allocates a block of memory and returns a pointer, while calloc() allocates memory for arrays and initializes to zero. realloc() changes the size of previously allocated memory. Examples of using each function are also provided.

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Rohan Ghadge
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50 views

Dynamic Memory Allocation in C

The document discusses dynamic memory allocation in C. It covers functions like malloc(), calloc(), and realloc() that allocate memory at runtime. malloc() allocates a block of memory and returns a pointer, while calloc() allocates memory for arrays and initializes to zero. realloc() changes the size of previously allocated memory. Examples of using each function are also provided.

Uploaded by

Rohan Ghadge
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as DOCX, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Dynamic Memory Allocation in C

The process of allocating memory at runtime is known as dynamic memory allocation.


Library routines known as memory management functions are used for allocating and
freeing memory during execution of a program. These functions are defined
in stdlib.h header file.

Function Description

malloc() allocates requested size of bytes and returns a void pointer pointing to the first byte
of the allocated space

calloc() allocates space for an array of elements, initialize them to zero and then returns a
void pointer to the memory

free releases previously allocated memory

realloc modify the size of previously allocated space

Memory Allocation Process


Global variables, static variables and program instructions get their memory
in permanent storage area whereas local variables are stored in a memory area
called Stack.
The memory space between these two region is known as Heap area. This region is
used for dynamic memory allocation during execution of the program. The size of heap
keep changing.
Allocating block of Memory
malloc() function is used for allocating block of memory at runtime. This function
reserves a block of memory of the given size and returns a pointer of type void. This
means that we can assign it to any type of pointer using typecasting. If it fails to allocate
enough space as specified, it returns a NULLpointer.
Syntax:
void* malloc(byte-size)

Time for an Example: malloc()


int *x;
x = (int*)malloc(50 * sizeof(int)); //memory space allocated to variable x
free(x); //releases the memory allocated to variable x

calloc() is another memory allocation function that is used for allocating memory at
runtime. calloc function is normally used for allocating memory to derived data types
such as arrays and structures. If it fails to allocate enough space as specified, it returns
a NULL pointer.
Syntax:
void *calloc(number of items, element-size)
Time for an Example: calloc()
struct employee
{
char *name;
int salary;
};
typedef struct employee emp;
emp *e1;
e1 = (emp*)calloc(30,sizeof(emp));

realloc() changes memory size that is already allocated dynamically to a variable.

Syntax:
void* realloc(pointer, new-size)

Time for an Example: realloc()


int *x;
x = (int*)malloc(50 * sizeof(int));
x = (int*)realloc(x,100); //allocated a new memory to variable x

Diffrence between malloc() and calloc()
calloc() malloc()

calloc() initializes the allocated memory malloc() initializes the allocated memory with
with 0 value. garbage values.

Number of arguments is 2 Number of argument is 1

Syntax : Syntax :
(cast_type *)calloc(blocks , size_of_block); (cast_type *)malloc(Size_in_bytes);
Program to represent Dynamic Memory
Allocation(using calloc())
#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main()
{
int i, n;
int *element;

printf("Enter total number of elements: ");


scanf("%d", &n);

/*
returns a void pointer(which is type-casted to int*)
pointing to the first block of the allocated space
*/
element = (int*) calloc(n,sizeof(int));

/*
If it fails to allocate enough space as specified,
it returns a NULL pointer.
*/
if(element == NULL)
{
printf("Error.Not enough space available");
exit(0);
}

for(i = 0; i < n; i++)


{
/*
storing elements from the user
in the allocated space
*/
scanf("%d", element+i);
}
for(i = 1; i < n; i++)
{
if(*element > *(element+i))
{
*element = *(element+i);
}
}

printf("Smallest element is %d", *element);

return 0;
}

Enter total number of elements: 5

4 2 1 5 3

Smallest element is 1

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