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Dynamic Memory Allocation ARCC

The document provides an overview of dynamic memory allocation functions in C, including malloc(), calloc(), free(), and realloc(). It explains their syntax, usage, and differences, along with example programs demonstrating how to use these functions to allocate and manage memory. The document emphasizes the importance of freeing allocated memory to prevent memory leaks.

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2 views

Dynamic Memory Allocation ARCC

The document provides an overview of dynamic memory allocation functions in C, including malloc(), calloc(), free(), and realloc(). It explains their syntax, usage, and differences, along with example programs demonstrating how to use these functions to allocate and manage memory. The document emphasizes the importance of freeing allocated memory to prevent memory leaks.

Uploaded by

gia.143.epi
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Pravat Sinha,Call &WhatsApp: 9091454548

Asansol Rainbow Computer Centre

Function Use of Function


malloc() Allocates requested size of bytes and returns a pointer first byte of allocated space
calloc() Allocates space for an array elements, initializes to zero and then returns a pointer to memory
free() deallocate the previously allocated space
realloc() Change the size of previously allocated space

C malloc()
The name malloc stands for "memory allocation".

The function malloc() reserves a block of memory of specified size and return a pointer of type void which
can be casted into pointer of any form.

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

Here, ptr is pointer of cast-type. The malloc() function returns a pointer to an area of memory with size of
byte size. If the space is insufficient, allocation fails and returns NULL pointer.

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

This statement will allocate either 200 or 400 according to size of int 2 or 4 bytes respectively and the pointer
points to the address of first byte of memory.

C calloc()
The name calloc stands for "contiguous allocation".

The only difference between malloc() and calloc() is that, malloc() allocates single block of memory whereas
calloc() allocates multiple blocks of memory each of same size and sets all bytes to Zero.

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

This statement will allocate contiguous space in memory for an array of n elements. For example:

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

This statement allocates contiguous space in memory for an array of 25 elements each of size of float, i.e, 4
bytes.

C free()
Dynamically allocated memory created with either calloc() or malloc() doesn't get freed on its own. You must
explicitly use free() to release the space.
Pravat Sinha,Call &WhatsApp: 9091454548
Asansol Rainbow Computer Centre
syntax of free()
free(ptr);

This statement frees the space allocated in the memory pointed by ptr.

Example #1: Using C malloc() and free()

Write a C program to find sum of n elements entered by user. To perform this program, allocate
memory dynamically using malloc() function.

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main()
{
int num, i, *ptr, sum = 0;

printf("Enter number of elements: ");


scanf("%d", &num);

ptr = (int*) malloc(num * sizeof(int)); //memory allocated using malloc


if(ptr == NULL)
{
printf("Error! memory not allocated.");
exit(0);
}

printf("Enter elements of array: ");


for(i = 0; i < num; ++i)
{
scanf("%d", ptr + i);
sum += *(ptr + i);
}

printf("Sum = %d", sum);


free(ptr);
return 0;
}

Example #2: Using C calloc() and free()

Write a C program to find sum of n elements entered by user. To perform this program, allocate
memory dynamically using calloc() function.

#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main()
{
int num, i, *ptr, sum = 0;
printf("Enter number of elements: ");
scanf("%d", &num);

ptr = (int*) calloc(num, sizeof(int));


if(ptr == NULL)
{
printf("Error! memory not allocated.");
Pravat Sinha,Call &WhatsApp: 9091454548
Asansol Rainbow Computer Centre
exit(0);
}

printf("Enter elements of array: ");


for(i = 0; i < num; ++i)
{
scanf("%d", ptr + i);
sum += *(ptr + i);
}

printf("Sum = %d", sum);


free(ptr);
return 0;
}

C realloc()
If the previously allocated memory is insufficient or more than required, you can change the previously
allocated memory size using realloc().

Syntax of realloc()
ptr = realloc(ptr, newsize);

Here, ptr is reallocated with size of newsize.

Example #3: Using realloc()


#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main()
{
int *ptr, i , n1, n2;
printf("Enter size of array: ");
scanf("%d", &n1);

ptr = (int*) malloc(n1 * sizeof(int));

printf("Address of previously allocated memory: ");


for(i = 0; i < n1; ++i)
printf("%u\t",ptr + i);

printf("\nEnter new size of array: ");


scanf("%d", &n2);
ptr = realloc(ptr, n2);
for(i = 0; i < n2; ++i)
printf("%u\t", ptr + i);
return 0;
}

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