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Storage Allocation

The different ways to allocate memory are:

  1. Static storage allocation
  2. Stack storage allocation
  3. Heap storage allocation

Static storage allocation

  • In static allocation, names are bound to storage locations.
  • If memory is created at compile time then the memory will be created in static area and only once.
  • Static allocation supports the dynamic data structure that means memory is created only at compile time and deallocated after program completion.
  • The drawback with static storage allocation is that the size and position of data objects should be known at compile time.
  • Another drawback is restriction of the recursion procedure.

Stack Storage Allocation

  • In static storage allocation, storage is organized as a stack.
  • An activation record is pushed into the stack when activation begins and it is popped when the activation end.
  • Activation record contains the locals so that they are bound to fresh storage in each activation record. The value of locals is deleted when the activation ends.
  • It works on the basis of last-in-first-out (LIFO) and this allocation supports the recursion process.

Heap Storage Allocation

  • Heap allocation is the most flexible allocation scheme.
  • Allocation and deallocation of memory can be done at any time and at any place depending upon the user’s requirement.
  • Heap allocation is used to allocate memory to the variables dynamically and when the variables are no more used then claim it back.
  • Heap storage allocation supports the recursion process.

Example:

The dynamic allocation is as follows:

Storage Allocation

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