How Does the `new` Keyword Enable Dynamic Array Creation in C ?

Discovering Dynamic Array Creation in C Using the 'new' Keyword

In the realm of programming, understanding how to create dynamic arrays is a fundamental skill. Among the programming languages that empower developers with this capability is C .

For those who desire a comprehensive understanding of dynamic array creation in C , let's explore how the 'new' keyword serves as a vital tool in this process.

To create a dynamic array of integers, one must first declare a pointer variable of the desired type, in this case 'int'. Subsequently, employ the 'new' keyword alongside the square brackets '[]' to allocate a contiguous block of memory for the array elements. The code snippet below illustrates this concept:

int size;

std::cin >> size;

int *array = new int[size];

In this code, the size variable is initialized based on user input. A pointer variable array of type int is then declared, and new allocates an array with its size dynamically determined at runtime, based on the value of size.

However, it's crucial to remember that dynamic memory allocation requires conscientious handling. Failure to explicitly release the allocated memory, known as deallocation, can result in memory leaks and system instability. Thankfully, deallocation can be achieved with the 'delete' operator.

To illustrate deallocation, let's return to our example:

delete [] array;

In this line, the delete operator accompanied by the square brackets '[]' deallocates the array's memory, effectively releasing the allocated resources back to the system.

And that's it - a comprehensive understanding of dynamic array creation in C using the 'new' keyword, coupled with the importance of proper memory management through 'delete'!

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