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Why should C++ programmers minimize use of "new"?

Steilla Mitchel 432 18-Jul-2023

Why should C++ programmers minimize the use of 'new'?

visual c++ c++  programs 
Updated on 19-Jul-2023
Steilla Mitchel

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I completed my post-graduation in 2013 in the engineering field. Engineering is the application of science and math to solve problems. Engineers figure out how things work and find practical uses for scientific discoveries. Scientists and inventors often get the credit for innovations that advance the human condition, but it is engineers who are instrumental in making those innovations available to the world. I love pet animals such as dogs, cats, etc.

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Aryan Kumar

Aryan Kumar

19-Jul-2023

There are a few reasons why C++ programmers should minimize the use of new.

  • Memory leaks

When you use new to allocate memory, you are responsible for calling delete to deallocate the memory when you are done with it. If you forget to call delete, you will create a memory leak. Memory leaks can cause programs to crash and can also waste memory.

  • Performance

Allocating memory using new can be more expensive than allocating memory on the stack. This is because the new operator has to call the operating system's memory allocation function, which can be a relatively slow operation.

  • Safety

Using new can be unsafe. If you make a mistake in your code, you can end up allocating memory that you don't have permission to access. This can lead to security vulnerabilities.

There are a few ways to minimize the use of new in C++.

  • Use RAII

RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) is a design pattern that can help to prevent memory leaks. RAII uses objects that automatically deallocate their resources when they go out of scope. This means that you don't have to worry about calling delete to deallocate memory.

  • Use the stack

The stack is a region of memory that is used to store local variables and function parameters. Variables that are allocated on the stack are automatically deallocated when the function returns. This means that you don't have to worry about calling delete to deallocate memory.

  • Use smart pointers

Smart pointers are a type of object that automatically deallocates the memory that they are pointing to when they go out of scope. This can help to prevent memory leaks and can also improve performance.

Here are some additional things to keep in mind about using new in C++:

  • new is a powerful tool, but it should be used with caution.
  • If you are using new, make sure that you are calling delete to deallocate the memory when you are done with it.
  • If you are using RAII, you don't have to worry about calling delete.
  • If you are using the stack, you don't have to worry about calling delete.
  • If you are using smart pointers, you don't have to worry about calling delete.
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