Why Does `malloc()` Require Casting in C but Not in C?

Why the Casting Difference for malloc() in C and C ?

In C programming, allocating memory with malloc() does not require an explicit cast, as void pointers in C can be implicitly converted to any other pointer type. However, in C , this implicit conversion is not supported, making casting necessary.

Reason for the Difference:

The primary distinction stems from the stricter type safety in C . C enforces stricter type checking to prevent potential errors, while C allows for a more flexible type system.

Consequences of Casting:

In C, casting the result of malloc() suppresses a valuable diagnostic that alerts you to missing declarations or incorrect function usage. If the proper declaration for malloc() is absent and the cast is omitted in C , the compiler will flag an incompatible type assignment (int to pointer).

Recommended Practice:

For C , it's generally advisable to utilize the new and delete keywords for memory management instead of malloc() and free(). The language-specific memory management techniques are designed to align with the type system and provide a more robust approach.

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