devxlogo

Placement-New Requires Heap-Allocated Buffers

Placement-New Requires Heap-Allocated Buffers

The placement-new operator constructs an object on a pre-allocated buffer. The pre-allocated buffer has to be allocated on the heap.

 char *pbuff = new char[1024]; // heap allocation using plain newPerson *p = new (pbuff) Person; // placement new uses a pre-allocated buffer

You may be tempted to use a buffer allocated on the stack to avoid the need of explicitly freeing it:

 char pbuff [1024];  //bad idea: stack allocation instead of heapPerson *p = new ( pbuff ) Person;  //undefined behavior

However, the pre-allocated buffer must comply with certain alignment constraints required by C++. Memory allocated on the heap is guaranteed to comply with these requirements. Stack memory, on the other hand, may not be properly aligned, and hence using it for that purpose yields undefined behavior.

See also  Why ChatGPT Is So Important Today
devxblackblue

About Our Editorial Process

At DevX, we’re dedicated to tech entrepreneurship. Our team closely follows industry shifts, new products, AI breakthroughs, technology trends, and funding announcements. Articles undergo thorough editing to ensure accuracy and clarity, reflecting DevX’s style and supporting entrepreneurs in the tech sphere.

See our full editorial policy.

About Our Journalist