Difference between static memory allocation and dy

Question

I would like to know what is the difference between static memory allocation and dynamic memory allocation?

Could you explain this with any example?

Answer 1

There are three types of allocation — static, automatic, and dynamic.

Static Allocation means, that the memory for your variables is allocated when the program starts. The size is fixed when the program is created. It applies to global variables, file scope variables, and variables qualified with static defined inside functions.

Automatic memory allocation occurs for (non-static) variables defined inside functions, and is usually stored on the stack (though the C standard doesn't mandate that a stack is used). You do not have to reserve extra memory using them, but on the other hand, have also limited control over the lifetime of this memory. E.g: automatic variables in a function are only there until the function finishes.

void func() {
    int i; /* `i` only exists during `func` */
}

Dynamic memory allocation is a bit different. You now control the exact size and the lifetime of these memory locations. If you don't free it, you'll run into memory leaks, which may cause your application to crash, since at some point of time, system cannot allocate more memory.

int* func() {
    int* mem = malloc(1024);
    return mem;
}

int* mem = func(); /* still accessible */

In the upper example, the allocated memory is still valid and accessible, even though the function terminated. When you are done with the memory, you have to free it:

free(mem);

Answer 2

Dynamic Memory allocation - memory is allocated during run-time in heap. This is used when the amount(size) of memory is variable and is known only during run-time. Dynamic allocation is achieved using certain functions like malloc(), calloc(), realloc(), free in C and "new", "delete" in C++.

Static Memory Allocation - memory allocated at compile time in stack or other data segments. This is used when the amount(size) of memory is static/constant and is known during compile-time.

Answer 3

Static memory allocation is allocated memory before execution pf program during compile time. Dynamic memory alocation is alocated memory during execution of program at run time.

Answer 4

Static memory allocation. Memory allocated will be in stack.

int a[10];

Dynamic memory allocation. Memory allocated will be in heap.

int *a = malloc(sizeof(int) * 10);

and the latter should be freed since there is no Garbage Collector(GC) in C.

free(a);

Answer 5

Static memory allocation: The compiler allocates the required memory space for a declared variable.By using the address of operator,the reserved address is obtained and this address may be assigned to a pointer variable.Since most of the declared variable have static memory,this way of assigning pointer value to a pointer variable is known as static memory allocation. memory is assigned during compilation time.

Dynamic memory allocation: It uses functions such as malloc( ) or calloc( ) to get memory dynamically.If these functions are used to get memory dynamically and the values returned by these functions are assingned to pointer variables, such assignments are known as dynamic memory allocation.memory is assined during run time.

Answer 6

Difference between STATIC MEMORY ALLOCATION & DYNAMIC MEMORY ALLOCATION

Memory is allocated before the execution of the program begins (During Compilation).
Memory is allocated during the execution of the program.

No memory allocation or deallocation actions are performed during Execution.
Memory Bindings are established and destroyed during the Execution.

Variables remain permanently allocated.
Allocated only when program unit is active.

Implemented using stacks and heaps.
Implemented using data segments.

Pointer is needed to accessing variables.
No need of Dynamically allocated pointers.

Faster execution than Dynamic.
Slower execution than static.

More memory Space required.
Less Memory space required.