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dynamic Memory Allocation

The document explains dynamic memory allocation in C, detailing how to change the size of arrays during runtime using functions like malloc(), calloc(), free(), and realloc(). It describes each function's purpose, syntax, and behavior, including how malloc() allocates memory without initialization, calloc() allocates and initializes memory to zero, free() deallocates memory, and realloc() changes the size of previously allocated memory. The document emphasizes the importance of managing memory effectively to avoid wastage.

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4 views

dynamic Memory Allocation

The document explains dynamic memory allocation in C, detailing how to change the size of arrays during runtime using functions like malloc(), calloc(), free(), and realloc(). It describes each function's purpose, syntax, and behavior, including how malloc() allocates memory without initialization, calloc() allocates and initializes memory to zero, free() deallocates memory, and realloc() changes the size of previously allocated memory. The document emphasizes the importance of managing memory effectively to avoid wastage.

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Programming Fundamentals

BS(IT) 1st Semester

Static and dynamic Memory Allocation

Dynamic Memory Allocation in C using malloc(), calloc(), free() and realloc()


Since C is a structured language, it has some fixed rules for programming. One of them
includes changing the size of an array. An array is a collection of items stored at contiguous
memory locations.

As it can be seen that the length (size) of the array above made is 9. But what if there is a
requirement to change this length (size). For Example,

• If there is a situation where only 5 elements are needed to be entered in this array.
In this case, the remaining 4 indices are just wasting memory in this array. So there
is a requirement to lessen the length (size) of the array from 9 to 5.
• Take another situation. In this, there is an array of 9 elements with all 9 indices
filled. But there is a need to enter 3 more elements in this array. In this case, 3
indices more are required. So the length (size) of the array needs to be changed
from 9 to 12.

This procedure is referred to as Dynamic Memory Allocation in C.


Therefore, C Dynamic Memory Allocation can be defined as a procedure in which the size
of a data structure (like Array) is changed during the runtime.
C provides some functions to achieve these tasks. There are 4 library functions provided by
C defined under <stdlib.h> header file to facilitate dynamic memory allocation in C
programming. They are:

1. malloc()
2. calloc()
3. free()
4. realloc()

Let’s look at each of them in greater detail.

C malloc() method
The “malloc” or “memory allocation” method in C is used to dynamically allocate
a single large block of memory with the specified size. It returns a pointer of type void which
can be cast into a pointer of any form. It doesn’t Initialize memory at execution time so that
it has initialized each block with the default garbage value initially.

Syntax:

ptr = (cast-type*) malloc(byte-size)


For Example:
ptr = (int*) malloc(100 * sizeof(int));
Since the size of int is 4 bytes, this statement will allocate 400 bytes of memory. And, the
pointer ptr holds the address of the first byte in the allocated memory.

If space is insufficient, allocation fails and returns a NULL pointer.


C calloc() method

1. “calloc” or “contiguous allocation” method in C is used to dynamically allocate the


specified number of blocks of memory of the specified type. it is very much similar to
malloc() but has two different points and these are:
2. It initializes each block with a default value ‘0’.
3. It has two parameters or arguments as compare to malloc().

Syntax:

ptr = (cast-type*)calloc(n, element-size);


here, n is the no. of elements and element-size is the size of each element.
For Example:

ptr = (float*) calloc(25, sizeof(float));


This statement allocates contiguous space in memory for 25 elements each with the size of the
float.

If space is insufficient, allocation fails and returns a NULL pointer.


free() method
“free” method in C is used to dynamically de-allocate the memory. The memory allocated
using functions malloc() and calloc() is not de-allocated on their own. Hence the free() method is
used, whenever the dynamic memory allocation takes place. It helps to reduce wastage of memory
by freeing it.

Syntax:

free(ptr);
realloc() method
“realloc” or “re-allocation” method in C is used to dynamically change the memory
allocation of a previously allocated memory. In other words, if the memory previously allocated
with the help of malloc or calloc is insufficient, realloc can be used to dynamically re-allocate
memory. re-allocation of memory maintains the already present value and new blocks will be
initialized with the default garbage value.

Syntax:

ptr = realloc(ptr, newSize);

where ptr is reallocated with new size 'newSize'.

If space is insufficient, allocation fails and returns a NULL pointer.

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