Menu
In C++, when is it best to use the stack? When is it best to use the heap?
296
Stack memory allocation is considered safer as compared to heap memory allocation because the data stored can only be access by owner thread. Memory allocation and de-allocation is faster as compared to Heap-memory allocation. Stack-memory has less storage space as compared to Heap-memory.
The best reason for heap allocation is that you cant always know how much space you need. You often only know this once the program is running. You might have an idea of limits but you would only want to use the exact amount of space required.
There are two main types of buffer overflows: stack overflows and heap overflows. Stack overflows corrupt memory on the stack. This means that values of local variables, function arguments, and return addresses are affected. Whereas heap overflows refer to overflows that corrupt memory located on the heap.
If you need to control manually the lifetime of the object, allocate it on the heap. If the object is big and the stack is not big enough for it, allocate it on the heap.
Use the stack when your variable will not be used after the current function returns. Use the heap when the data in the variable is needed beyond the lifetime of the current function.
197
As a rule of thumb, avoid creating huge objects on the stack.
32
If you love us? You can donate to us via Paypal or buy me a coffee so we can maintain and grow! Thank you!
Donate Us With
