Thread: Freeing memory

  1. #1
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    Freeing memory

    how can I free the memory that I use for int, char, and other things? I want to free the memory after I use the variable.

  2. #2
    #define WORLD "sad place" LinuxCoder's Avatar
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    Why do you want to do that in the first place? If it was an object it would make perfect sense, but why are you worrying about that for POD's? I don't think that's even possible.

  3. #3
    semi-colon generator ChaosEngine's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by LinuxCoder
    Why do you want to do that in the first place? If it was an object it would make perfect sense, but why are you worrying about that for POD's? I don't think that's even possible.

    of course it is.
    Code:
    int *pInt = new int;
    
    // some code
    
    delete pInt;
    as for why? usually it's for scoping reasons, i.e. you want to create a variable that lives for longer then an automatic scope.

    bikr692002, please note that for "normal" stack variables
    e.g.
    Code:
    void someFunc()
    {
        int x;
    }
    there's no need to free x's memory as it's done automatically at the end of x's scope.

    if your memory is REALLY tight (and I'm talking embedded device with a few k's here) you can limit the scope of any stack variable by wrapping { }'s around it.

    Code:
    void someBiggerFunc()
    {
        int x;
    
        // do lots of stuff
    
        
        {
            int y;
    
            // more stuff
         }
    
         // y has gone out of scope here
    
          x = 5; // x still ok
    }
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  4. #4
    Registered User Tonto's Avatar
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    If it was an object it would make perfect sense, but why are you worrying about that for POD's?
    Objects can be POD (Plain Old Data).

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    @ChaosEngine:

    Personally from his question i didn't think about variables allocated on the heap, probably just me but i thought his question was refering to deleting POD's allocated on the stack. My lapse i guess

    @Tonto:

    You're totally right, i employed the term incorrectly.

  6. #6
    Registered User Tonto's Avatar
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    Yes, I got the impression he was going to try to free up memory for local stack variables too

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by ChaosEngine
    of course it is.
    Code:
    int *pInt = new int;
    
    // some code
    
    delete pInt;
    as for why? usually it's for scoping reasons, i.e. you want to create a variable that lives for longer then an automatic scope.

    bikr692002, please note that for "normal" stack variables
    e.g.
    Code:
    void someFunc()
    {
        int x;
    }
    there's no need to free x's memory as it's done automatically at the end of x's scope.

    if your memory is REALLY tight (and I'm talking embedded device with a few k's here) you can limit the scope of any stack variable by wrapping { }'s around it.

    Code:
    void someBiggerFunc()
    {
        int x;
    
        // do lots of stuff
    
        
        {
            int y;
    
            // more stuff
         }
    
         // y has gone out of scope here
    
          x = 5; // x still ok
    }
    Thanks, that helps alot.

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