Memory Allocation - How malloc and free Work?

The article on samwho.dev discusses memory allocation in programming, which is essential for creating efficient applications. Memory allocation allows the dynamic assignment of memory space based on the program's needs. The author begins by explaining basic concepts related to memory, such as stack and heap, and presents the differences between static and dynamic allocation. Additionally, the article covers various memory allocation techniques, including malloc and free in C, which are crucial for developers looking to manage memory effectively in their applications.

As the article progresses, the author highlights the issue of memory leaks that can occur when memory is not properly freed, leading to increased memory consumption and potentially causing program failures. Code examples are provided to help understand how to avoid such issues and efficiently manage memory allocation. Moreover, the article includes tips on tools that can assist in monitoring memory management, such as Valgrind.

In the conclusion, the author draws attention to increasingly popular memory management techniques, such as garbage collection. It is worth noting that while garbage collection simplifies memory management, programmers should still understand how memory allocation works to create more efficient applications. Overall, the article serves as an excellent source of knowledge for anyone looking to delve into the topic of memory allocation and understand how to best leverage available techniques in their programming projects.