C free()

The free() function is used to dynamically de-allocate the memory at runtime. Memory allocated by the malloc() and calloc() functions must be manually de-allocated when not in use. Freeing it helps to reduce memory wastage.

Syntax

free(memoryblock);

The memoryblock must exist beforehand in order to be de-allocated by the free() function.

Example

The following example showcases the free() function:

int *ptr;

// Memory allocated using malloc() function
ptr = (int*) malloc(5 * sizeof(int));

// Memory de-allocated using free() function
free(ptr);

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