CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++arraysmemory-management
user296113
user296113

Reputation: 101

Delete a single array of object?

I am not sure if both of these works to delete:

p = new int[1];

delete p

and

delete [] p;

If both works, what is the difference between the above two deletes?

Upvotes: 2

Views: 767

Answers (3)

Chris H
Chris H

Reputation: 6581

delete p deletes only one element. delete [] p deletes an array. If you use new type[], then use delete [].

If you're new has a [], then delete has a [].

By the way there has to be an exact dupliate of this somewhere.

Upvotes: 1

Ternary
Ternary

Reputation: 2411

They are not the same. Even though delete p would compile but could potentially cause problems at runtime.

delete p will invoke operator delete(void*) where as delete [] will call operator delete[](void*). The default behavior is for delete[] to call delete but if a custom operator for delete [] has been implemented, it won't be called if you just call delete and you'll have a problem (probably a silent one).

Good rule of thumb is if you used [] in the new, use it in the delete.

Upvotes: 2

Potatoswatter
Potatoswatter

Reputation: 137770

An array of one instance is still an array. There is simply not a special case, so you need to treat it as an array and not a single object. Non-array delete may crash.

An array of objects may be preceded by a number signifying the size of the array. If that's the case, delete[], not delete, is smart enough to pass the correct pointer to free.

Upvotes: 4

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