C Dynamic Memory Allocation - Type Safety

Type Safety

malloc returns a void pointer (void *), which indicates that it is a pointer to a region of unknown data type. The use of casting is only required in C++ due to the strong type system, whereas this is not the case in C. The lack of a specific pointer type returned from malloc is type-unsafe behaviour according to some programmers: malloc allocates based on byte count but not on type. This is different from the C++ new operator that returns a pointer whose type relies on the operand. (see C Type Safety).


One may "cast" (see type conversion) this pointer to a specific type:

int *ptr; ptr = malloc(10 * sizeof (*ptr)); /* without a cast */ ptr = (int *)malloc(10 * sizeof (*ptr)); /* with a cast */

There are advantages and disadvantages to performing such a cast.

Read more about this topic:  C Dynamic Memory Allocation

Famous quotes containing the words type and/or safety:

    “The Republican form of government is the highest form of government; but because of this it requires the highest type of human nature—a type nowhere at present existing.”
    —Herbert Spencer (1820–1903)

    “The high sentiments always win in the end, the leaders who offer blood, toil, tears and sweat always get more out of their followers than those who offer safety and a good time. When it comes to the pinch, human beings are heroic.”
    —George Orwell (1903–1950)