CODEWITHSUNDEEP
c++c
user205688
user205688

Reputation: 165

memory leak in c

will the following code result in memory leak

char * a()
{
   char * b = malloc(100);
   return b;
 }

B()
{ 
  char * c = a();
  free (c);
}

Upvotes: 1

Views: 292

Answers (6)

Rafid
Rafid

Reputation: 20189

In the function B(), it will definitely NOT cause a memory leak because you are calling free. But It WILL cause a memory leak if you call a() without calling free, so in case you are getting some memory leaks and wondering why it is happening, then look somewhere else where you are calling the function a() without calling free() after that.

Upvotes: 2

mdiez
mdiez

Reputation: 193

I don't think so... Why do you think it could result in a leak? The memory you allocate is the same that you free.

Upvotes: 0

Supernova009
Supernova009

Reputation: 95

It will not leak memory. Your function a() is returning the address of memory location to function b() which is being freed. Do not get confused with allocation and de-allcation of memory in different functions. It will work fine since memory you are allocating is on heap which is common area for both functions e.i. a() & b() (as far as they are in same address space).

Upvotes: 0

Lightness Races in Orbit
Lightness Races in Orbit

Reputation: 385174

No. You allocate the memory, then free the memory at the same address (even if the pointer that contains that address has been copied around).

Upvotes: 0

nos
nos

Reputation: 229108

No.

You are allocating memory inside a(), returning a pointer to that memory, which you're freeing in B().

Upvotes: 3

Sarfaraz Nawaz
Sarfaraz Nawaz

Reputation: 361472

No. You're freeing the allocated memory after all. The general rule is, if you're calling free() for each malloc() function call, then that means you're not leaking memory.

Upvotes: 10

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