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Data Structure Tutorial

Overview

Arrays in Data Structures: A Guide With Examples

Lesson - 1

All You Need to Know About Two-Dimensional Arrays

Lesson - 2

All You Need to Know About a Linked List in a Data Structure

Lesson - 3

The Complete Guide to Implement a Singly Linked List

Lesson - 4

The Ultimate Guide to Implement a Doubly Linked List

Lesson - 5

The Fundamentals for Understanding Circular Linked List

Lesson - 6

The Ultimate Guide To Understand The Differences Between Stack And Queue

Lesson - 7

Implementing Stacks in Data Structures

Lesson - 8

Your One-Stop Solution for Stack Implementation Using Array

Lesson - 9

Your One-Stop Solution for Queue Implementation Using Array

Lesson - 10

Your One-Stop Solution to Learn Depth-First Search(DFS) Algorithm From Scratch

Lesson - 11

Your One-Stop Solution for Stack Implementation Using Linked-List

Lesson - 12

The Definitive Guide to Understand Stack vs Heap Memory Allocation

Lesson - 13

All You Need to Know About Linear Search Algorithm

Lesson - 14

All You Need to Know About Breadth-First Search Algorithm

Lesson - 15

A One-Stop Solution for Using Binary Search Trees in Data Structure

Lesson - 16

The Best Tutorial to Understand Trees in Data Structure

Lesson - 17

A Complete Guide to Implement Binary Tree in Data Structure

Lesson - 18

A Holistic Look at Using AVL Trees in Data Structures

Lesson - 19

All You Need to Know About Tree Traversal in Data Structure

Lesson - 20

The Best and Easiest Way to Understand an Algorithm

Lesson - 21

The Best Guide You’ll Ever Need to Understand B-Tree in Data Structure

Lesson - 22

The Best Guide You'll Ever Need to Understand Spanning Tree in Data Structure

Lesson - 23

A One-Stop Solution Guide to Understand Data Structure and Algorithm Complexity

Lesson - 24

Your One-Stop Solution to Understand Shell Sort Algorithm

Lesson - 25

Your One-Stop Solution to Quick Sort Algorithm

Lesson - 26

What Is Selection Sort Algorithm In Data Structures?

Lesson - 27

Everything You Need to Know About Radix Sort Algorithm

Lesson - 28

Everything You Need to Know About the Counting Sort Algorithm

Lesson - 29

Everything You Need to Know About the Merge Sort Algorithm

Lesson - 30

Insertion Sort Algorithm: One-Stop Solution That Will Help You Understand Insertion Sort

Lesson - 31

Everything You Need to Know About the Bubble Sort Algorithm

Lesson - 32

The Best Guide You’ll Ever Need to Understand Bucket Sort Algorithm

Lesson - 33

Your One-Stop Solution to Understand Recursive Algorithm in Programming

Lesson - 34

The Definitive Guide to Understanding Greedy Algorithm

Lesson - 35

Your One-Stop Solution to Understand Backtracking Algorithm

Lesson - 36

The Fundamentals of the Bellman-Ford Algorithm

Lesson - 37

Your One-Stop Solution for Graphs in Data Structures

Lesson - 38

The Best Guide to Understand and Implement Solutions for Tower of Hanoi Puzzle

Lesson - 39

A Simplified and Complete Guide to Learn Space and Time Complexity

Lesson - 40

All You Need to Know About the Knapsack Problem : Your Complete Guide

Lesson - 41

The Fibonacci Series: Mathematical and Programming Interpretation

Lesson - 42

The Holistic Look at Longest Common Subsequence Problem

Lesson - 43

The Best Article to Understand What Is Dynamic Programming

Lesson - 44

A Guide to Implement Longest Increasing Subsequence Using Dynamic Programming

Lesson - 45

A Holistic Guide to Learn Stop Solution Using Dynamic Programming

Lesson - 46

One Stop Solution to All the Dynamic Programming Problems

Lesson - 47

Understanding the Fundamentals of Binomial Distribution

Lesson - 48

Here’s All You Need to Know About Minimum Spanning Tree in Data Structures

Lesson - 49

Understanding the Difference Between Array and Linked List

Lesson - 50

The Best Article Out There to Understand the B+ Tree in Data Structure

Lesson - 51

A Comprehensive Look at Queue in Data Structure

Lesson - 52

Your One-Stop Solution to Understand Coin Change Problem

Lesson - 53

The Best Way to Understand the Matrix Chain Multiplication Problem

Lesson - 54

Your One-Stop Solution to Learn Floyd-Warshall Algorithm for Using Dynamic Programming

Lesson - 55

The Best Tutorial You'll Ever Need for Queue Implementation Using Linked List

Lesson - 56

All You Need to Know About How to Create a React JS Portfolio Project

Lesson - 57

The Best Guide to Learn How to Make a Wireframe: What is a Wireframe?

Lesson - 58

The Best DSA Projects for Your Resume

Lesson - 59

Top 5 Best Coding Books You Must Read

Lesson - 60

The Working and Implementation of Physical Layer in the OSI Model

Lesson - 61

How to Create an Instagram Clone Using React?

Lesson - 62

ReactJS Vs VueJS

Lesson - 63

Stack Vs Heap: Key Difference Between Stack and Heap Memory Allocation

Lesson 13 of 63By Simplilearn

Last updated on Sep 25, 2024147025
The Definitive Guide to Understand Stack vs Heap Memory Allocation

Table of Contents

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Memory is a crucial resource while developing any software or application. Depending on the preconditions of the hardware, the input flow is designed in each software development strategy. Developers often manage memory manually by using optimal data structure formats. That is why understanding all implications of memory is essential. So, in this tutorial, you will deal with Stack vs Heap memory allocation in C and C++.

How Does a Program Work?

The C and C++ program files are stored with .c and .cpp extensions. The compiler requires these extensions to recognize that the file is a C/C++ program. When you run a C program, the linker initially connects the program to all included header files. Following that, the loader is put to work. The loader will load the .exe file into RAM and notify the CPU of the starting address at which this program is loaded. This executable file, also known as machine-level code, consists of numbers 0 and 1.

Thumbnail_Loader_CandCPP

The executable file holds all the instructions required to execute the program. The program counter takes over all those instructions and allocates memory to all the variables, functions, parameters, and return calls. By utilizing memory, the program counter generates the program's output. The image below represents the different segments of memory area used in program execution.

Memory_Segmentation

In this stack vs heap memory allocation article, first, you will contemplate what stack and heap memory are.

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Stack Memory Allocation

Stack memory allocation takes place on contiguous blocks of memory. As this allocation occurs in the function called stack, it is commonly referred to it as a stack memory allocation. The compiler calculates how much memory to allocate for each variable specified in the program. When the function call is completed, the memory for the variables is released. All of this is accomplished by using specified procedures in the compiler. A developer does not have to worry about stack memory allocation and deallocation.

This type of memory allocation is also known as temporary memory allocation. The stack memory area stores local variables, arguments passed through a function, and their return addresses. After the function completes its execution, all of the data belonging to that function is immediately flushed off the stack. This means that any value saved in the stack memory scheme is available as long as the procedure hasn't completed its execution and is still running.

Stack Overflow Error in Programming

The stack size in the computer's memory is restricted. If a program consumes more memory than the stack size, a stack overflow occurs, resulting in a program failure. The program below does not include any base condition for its recursive call. Due to that, whenever the stack memory gets filled, a stack overflow error occurs.

//Stack Overflow

#include<stdio.h>

void fun(int a) {

   if (a== 0)

    return;

    a += 1;

    printf("\n");

    printf("%d",a);

    fun(a);

}

int main() {

   int a = 5;

   fun(a);

}

The simulation below explains the stack overflow error scenario in a program shown above. 

Memory_Stack_Stack_Overflow-Stack_vs_Heap.

Heap Memory Allocation

Heaps memory is allocated during the execution of programmers' instructions. It is crucial to highlight that the name heap has nothing to do with the heap data structure. It is termed a heap because it is a collection of memory space that programmers can allocate and deallocate. 

When you construct an object, it is always in Heap-space, and the referencing information for these objects is always saved in Stack-memory. Because the data stored in this region is available or visible to all threads, heap memory allocation is not as safe as stack memory allocation. A memory leak in the application can occur if the programmer does not handle this memory well.

In C++, you use new and delete operators for dynamic memory allocation and deallocation. Whereas in C programming language, you use the  functions listed below:

Heap_Allocation-Stack_vs_Heap

The image given below explains how memory allocation is achieved with the help of the malloc() function.

Heap_Memory_Allocation

This allocated memory will further be accessed using pointer variable as shown below:

Heap_Memory_Utilization_Using_Pointer

Heap Overflow Error

In the case of heap memory allocation, the programmer is solely responsible for de-allocating the memory space. Two scenarios mentioned below can lead to heap overflow error:

  • If you allocate the memory continuously and don't release the utilized memory after use, it may cause memory leakage. Memory leakage is when the memory is unavailable for processes due to previous access. 

//C1 - Heap Overflow [Stack vs Heap]

#include<stdio.h>

#include<stdlib.h>

int main()

{

    for (int i=0; i<1000000000000000000; i++)

    {

       int *z = (int *)malloc(sizeof(int));

    }

}

  • If you dynamically allocate memory space for the vast number of variables.

//C2 - Heap Overflow [Stack vs Heap]

#include<stdio.h>

#include<stdlib.h>

int main()

{

    int *ptr = (int *)malloc(sizeof(int)*10000000);

}

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Key Differences: Stack vs Heap

The tabular representation is given below lists key differences between Stack and Heap.

Stack Memory

Heap Memory

This memory space stores static variables

This memory space stores dynamic variables

When allotted (by OS) stack memory gets filled, Stack Overflow error occurs

When allocated (by OS) heap memory gets filled, Heap Overflow error occurs

Data saved on the stack can only be accessed by the owner thread, making it safer

Heap memory is not safest as data stored in Heap-memory is visible to all threads

Stack frame access is easier

Heap frame access is difficult

Potential threat: Shortage of memory

Potential threat: Memory Fragmentation

The excellent locality of reference

The adequate locality of reference

Access time is much faster than Heap memory

Access time is much slower than the stack memory

Conclusion

In this stack vs heap memory allocation tutorial, you explored the differences between stack and heap memory space. You discovered how both these memory areas work. Following this, you looked into the stack overflow and heap overflow errors in programming. In the end, you also listed a few key differences between stack and heap memory.

If you are seeking more comprehensive learning that goes beyond data structures and encompasses the fundamentals of interactive application development, Simplilearn’s Full Stack Java Developer Master’s program will be precisely suited to you. The courses in the above catalog can help you improve your chances of getting into a software developer role by assisting you in mastering the craft of software development. So, explore now and get started!

About the Author

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Simplilearn is one of the world’s leading providers of online training for Digital Marketing, Cloud Computing, Project Management, Data Science, IT, Software Development, and many other emerging technologies.

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