CODEWITHSUNDEEP
pointersvariablesstackdynamic-variables
gauri
gauri

Reputation: 3

Stack dynamic or heap dynamic variable

In the function

int main() {
    int *p=new int;
    return 0;
}

is p an explicit heap dynamic variable or stack dynamic variable?

I am aware that p is a variable pointing to a value in the heap, but I am confused as to if p is an explicit heap dynamic variable or stack dynamic variable as well.

Upvotes: 0

Views: 54

Answers (1)

Eric Postpischil
Eric Postpischil

Reputation: 223795

A pointer is a separate thing from the thing it points to.

int *p in block scope defines an object named p with automatic storage duration. Objects with automatic storage duration are most commonly implemented with a stack except as altered by optimization, which may keep the object’s value in a register or, in some situations, eliminate it entirely.

The fact p is initialized to point to dynamically allocated memory is irrelevant to the storage duration of p. A pointer with any type of storage duration may point to an object with any type of storage duration.

Upvotes: 0

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