Dynamic Memory Allocation in C

Dynamic memory allocation in C allows you to allocate memory at runtime, which means you can allocate memory as needed during program execution. This is in contrast to static memory allocation, where memory is allocated at compile time and remains fixed throughout the program's execution.

Operator for Dynamic Memory Allocation

In C, the operator used to dynamically allocate memory for a single object is the new operator.

Usage of the new Operator

The new operator is used to allocate memory for a single object of a specified type. It returns a pointer to the allocated memory. The general syntax for using the new operator is:

```
pointer_variable = new data_type;
```

Here, `pointer_variable` is a pointer of the specified `data_type` that will hold the address of the dynamically allocated memory.

Example

Let's consider an example where we dynamically allocate memory for an integer using the new operator:

```
int* ptr;
ptr = new int;
```

In the above example, we declare a pointer `ptr` of type `int*`. Then, we use the new operator to allocate memory for a single integer. The address of the allocated memory is stored in the `ptr` pointer.

Benefits of Dynamic Memory Allocation

1. Flexibility: Dynamic memory allocation allows you to allocate memory as needed during program execution, providing flexibility in managing memory resources.

2. Efficient use of memory: With dynamic memory allocation, you can allocate memory only when required, optimizing the use of memory resources.

3. Scalability: Dynamic memory allocation enables you to allocate memory for varying data sizes, making your program more scalable.

4. Dynamic data structures: Dynamic memory allocation is essential for creating dynamic data structures such as linked lists, trees, and graphs, where the size can change dynamically.

Conclusion

The new operator is used for dynamic memory allocation in C to allocate memory for a single object. It provides flexibility, efficient memory utilization, and scalability to programs. By dynamically allocating memory, you can create more versatile and adaptable programs.