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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.
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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.");
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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;
}
