Difference Between Static and Dynamic Memory Allocation

This article includes the difference between static and dynamic memory allocation with examples and applications

Managing computer memory is a difficult task. Even professionals must study how to allocate and deallocate memory regularly. Each operating system creates a specific area of memory for applications to use, and each can be allocated a limited amount of memory. The way computer memory is allocated impacts system performance and user accessibility. When memory allocation is done at compile time, it is called static memory allocation. The compiler allocates memory for variables. It is called dynamic memory allocation when memory allocation occurs at run time or runtime. In this article we will discuss Difference between static and dynamic memory allocation in os.

Table of contents

• Difference between Static and Dynamic memory allocation
• What is Static memory allocation?
• Application of Static memory allocation
• What is Dynamic memory allocation?
• Application of Dynamic memory allocation
• Key Points about Dynamic memory allocation and Static memory allocation
• Conclusion

Difference between Static and Dynamic memory allocation

What is Static memory allocation?

Static memory allocation is performed when the compiler compiles your program and produces an object file. The linker merges all these object files to create a single executable file. The loader loads and executes this single executable file into the main memory. Static memory allocation requires knowing the size of the data it needs before it starts running.

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Example of static memory allocation

1. Array declaration: It is an example of static memory allocation. The size of the array must be known in advance. Arrays cannot be resized after memory has been allocated.
2. Real-time systems: Real-time systems often require deterministic behavior and predictable memory usage. Static memory allocation allows for upfront memory allocation, reducing the risk of unexpected delays or interruptions during runtime.
3. Performance-critical applications: Static memory allocation can perform better than dynamic allocation. With static allocation, memory addresses are known at compile-time, enabling efficient memory access and reducing runtime overhead.
4. Device drivers: Device drivers interact with hardware devices and often use static memory allocation. It allows them to manage memory buffers for data exchange with devices efficiently and ensures reliable and predictable memory access.

Application of Static memory allocation

Array-An array is a collection of similar data stored in contiguous locations. This simplest data structure allows direct access to each data item using only the index number. 

What is Dynamic memory allocation?

Dynamic memory allocation is performed during program execution. Memory is allocated to an instance of a program when it is first used during program execution. Since the actual size of the data required is known at run time, the program allocates the correct amount of memory, reducing memory waste.

Dynamic memory allocation provides flexibility to the execution of the program. As it can decide what amount of memory space will be required by the program. If the program is large enough, then a dynamic memory allocation is performed on the different parts of the program, which is to be used currently. This reduces memory wastage and improves the performance of the system.

Example of dynamic memory allocation

we use to allocate memory at runtime dynamically are −

• malloc () − allocates a block of memory in bytes at runtime.
• calloc () − allocating non-stop blocks of memory at run time.

Application of Dynamic Memory Allocation

This dynamic memory allocation is commonly used for

1. Linked lists: This data structure is a set of linearly connected nodes. Each node has at least two values. Node data (content) and node next/reference (referring to the node being “linked”).
2. Heap: A heap is a particular type of tree that satisfies heap properties. The relationship between parent node P and child node C is constant throughout the tree.
3. Queue: A queue is defined as a linear data structure with open ends, and operations are performed in first-in-first-out (FIFO) order. 
4. Stack: A stack is a restricted data structure. Elements can only be added and removed from the top of the stack. Push adds an element to the top of the stack. Pop removes an element from the top. A helpful analogy is a stack of books. You can also add new books by removing the top book.

Key Points about Dynamic memory allocation and Static memory allocation

• Static memory allocation is efficient because it allocates memory to the process before it starts running. Therefore, the program runs faster because there is no overhead of memory allocation operations while the program is running. On the other hand, the dynamic memory allocation scheme allocates memory to the process while running.

• With static memory allocation, the required memory size must be known before running the program. With dynamic memory allocation, you don’t know how much your program needs, so the expected amount of memory is allocated to your process. This leads to wasted memory.
• Dynamic memory allocation is performed at program runtime. So avoid wasting memory and allocate the correct amount of memory to your program. 
• Dynamic memory allocation has the overhead of memory allocation operations during program execution, slowing program execution. 
• Dynamic memory allocation provides flexibility because if the program is large enough, memory allocation operations are performed in different parts of the program, reducing memory waste. 

Conclusion

Managing computer memory can be tricky since many factors must work harmoniously. Memory management is essential for running applications, optimizing system performance, and restricting access to pornographic websites, among other things. Fortunately, most computer users have little to no knowledge in this field as they accept how their computers work based on years of development by experts in the field of computing.

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