What's the Crucial Difference Between `delete` and `delete[]` in C Memory Management?

Understanding the Distinction between 'delete' and 'delete[]'

In the realm of C memory management, the operators 'delete' and 'delete[]' play crucial roles. However, their usage and potential consequences can be confusing, especially regarding the misconception that they are interchangeable.

The Fundamental Difference

According to the C standard (5.3.5/2), 'delete' is intended for deleting single, non-array objects or sub-objects of base classes. On the other hand, 'delete[]' is specifically designed for deleting arrays, which have been allocated using 'new[]'. Using either operator inappropriately can lead to undefined behavior.

Consequences of Misuse

Attempting to use 'delete[]' on a single object, or 'delete' on an array, can result in severe consequences. This is because 'delete[]' expects an array pointer, and using it on a non-array object will cause a segmentation fault or other unpredictable behavior. Similarly, using 'delete' on an array will lead to incorrect memory deallocation, potentially leaving dangling pointers and memory leaks.

When to Use 'delete' and 'delete[]'

To avoid these pitfalls, it is essential to adhere to the following guidelines:

• Use 'delete' to release memory occupied by non-array objects or sub-objects of base classes.
• Use 'delete[]' exclusively for deallocating arrays created with 'new[]'.

By following these principles, you can ensure proper memory management and avoid the undefined behavior associated with misusing these operators.

The above is the detailed content of What's the Crucial Difference Between `delete` and `delete[]` in C Memory Management?. For more information, please follow other related articles on the PHP Chinese website!