Static vs. Dynamic Arrays in C : What's the Difference?

Understanding the Distinction Between Static and Dynamic Arrays in C

While working on an assignment, you may encounter a request to utilize dynamic arrays instead of their static counterparts. This article aims to clarify the differences between these two array types.

Static arrays are allocated in the stack memory during compilation. Their size remains constant throughout the program's execution. An example of a static array would be:

int exampleArray[5];

On the other hand, dynamic arrays utilize the "new" operator to allocate memory in the heap (free store) at runtime. This allows them to have a flexible size that can change during program execution. However, it is crucial to manually deallocate these arrays using the "delete[]" operator when they are no longer needed. An example of a dynamic array would be:

int* dynamicArray = new int[10];

...

delete[] dynamicArray;

Essentially, the key distinction between static and dynamic arrays lies in their memory allocation, flexibility, and responsibility for memory management. Static arrays provide fixed-sized storage allocated in the stack, while dynamic arrays grant flexibility in sizing but require manual memory management.

The above is the detailed content of Static vs. Dynamic Arrays in C : What's the Difference?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!