Dynamic memory allocation in C
The concept of dynamic memory allocation in c language enables the C programmer
to allocate memory at runtime. Dynamic memory allocation in c language is possible by 4
functions of stdlib.h header file.
1. malloc()
2. calloc()
3. realloc()
4. free()
Now let's have a quick look at the methods used for dynamic memory allocation.
malloc() allocates single block of requested memory.
calloc() allocates multiple block of requested memory.
realloc() reallocates the memory occupied by malloc() or calloc() functions.
free() frees the dynamically allocated memory.
malloc() function in C
• The malloc() function allocates single block of requested memory.
• It doesn't initialize memory at execution time, so it has garbage value initially.
• It returns NULL if memory is not sufficient.
The syntax of malloc() function is given below:
ptr=(cast-type*)malloc(byte-size)
Let's see the example of malloc() function.
#include<stdio.h>
#include<stdlib.h>
int main(){
int n,i,*ptr,sum=0;
printf("Enter number of elements: ");
scanf("%d",&n);
ptr=(int*)malloc(n*sizeof(int)); //memory allocated using malloc
if(ptr==NULL)
{
printf("Sorry! unable to allocate memory");
exit(0);
}
printf("Enter elements of array: ");
for(i=0;i<n;++i)
{
scanf("%d",ptr+i);
sum+=*(ptr+i);
}
printf("Sum=%d",sum);
free(ptr);
return 0;
}
calloc() function in C
• The calloc() function allocates multiple block of requested memory.
• It initially initialize all bytes to zero.
• It returns NULL if memory is not sufficient.
The syntax of calloc() function is given below:
ptr=(cast-type*)calloc(number, byte-size)
Let's see the example of calloc() function.
#include<stdio.h>
#include<stdlib.h>
int main(){
int n,i,*ptr,sum=0;
printf("Enter number of elements: ");
scanf("%d",&n);
ptr=(int*)calloc(n,sizeof(int)); //memory allocated using calloc
if(ptr==NULL)
{
printf("Sorry! unable to allocate memory");
exit(0);
}
printf("Enter elements of array: ");
for(i=0;i<n;++i)
{
scanf("%d",ptr+i);
sum+=*(ptr+i);
}
printf("Sum=%d",sum);
free(ptr);
return 0;
}
