int *array = new int[n]; what is this function actually doing?

Question

I am confused about how to create a dynamic defined array:

 int *array = new int[n]; 

I have no idea what this is doing. I can tell it's creating a pointer named array that's pointing to a new object/array int? Would someone care to explain?

Answer 1

new allocates an amount of memory needed to store the object/array that you request. In this case n numbers of int.

The pointer will then store the address to this block of memory.

But be careful, this allocated block of memory will not be freed until you tell it so by writing

delete [] array; 

Answer 2

int *array = new int[n]; 

It declares a pointer to a dynamic array of type int and size n.

A little more detailed answer: new allocates memory of size equal to sizeof(int) * n bytes and return the memory which is stored by the variable array. Also, since the memory is dynamically allocated using new, you should deallocate it manually by writing (when you don't need anymore, of course):

delete []array; 

Otherwise, your program will leak memory of at least sizeof(int) * n bytes (possibly more, depending on the allocation strategy used by the implementation).