When to free memory inside a C code?

Question

When I alloc memory outside a while loop for example, is it okay to free it inside it ? Are these two codes equivalent ?

int* memory = NULL;
memory = malloc(sizeof(int));
if (memory != NULL)
{
  memory=10;
  free(memory);
}


int* memory = NULL;
memory = malloc(sizeof(int));
if (memory != NULL)
{
  memory=10;
}
free(memory);

Answer 1

Yes, they are equivalent. You do not have to call free() if allocation did not succeed.
Pay attention, that memory is pointer to int and you have to dereference it to assign something to its memory block;

int* memory = NULL;
memory = malloc(sizeof(int));
if (memory)
    *memory=10;
free(memory);
memory = NULL;

Answer 2

int* memory = NULL;
memory = malloc(sizeof(int));
if (memory != NULL)
{
  memory=10;
  free(memory);
}

This will crash. You're setting the pointer to memory location 10 and then asking the system to release the memory. It's extremely unlikely that you previously allocated some memory that happeneds to start at 0x10, even in the crazy world of virutal address spaces. Furthermore, IF malloc failed, no memory has been allocated, so you do not need to free it.

int* memory = NULL;
memory = malloc(sizeof(int));
if (memory != NULL)
{
  memory=10;
}
free(memory);

This is also a bug. If malloc fails, then you are setting the pointer to 10 and freeing that memory. (as before.) If malloc succeeds, then you're immediately freeing the memory, which means it was pointless to allocate it! Now, I imagine this is just example code simplified to get the point across, and that this isn't present in your real program? :)

Answer 3

Doesn't matter IF you are sure you only free it once.

A good idea is to always set a pointer =NULL when you free it, then if it gets free'ed again it won't matter

Answer 4

Yes. The important thing is too free it once. (After you are finished using the memory)

Answer 5

A general rule of thumb that I like to follow is to free memory in the same scope that it was allocated in.

Answer 6

First of all you can only free it once. So if you want to free it inside a loop (as your question suggest), the second solution is the only correct way of doing.

If you want to free it inside an if statement, both solution are technically correct. However it is a good practice to always free the memory you use and its then easier to always free the memory at the end outside any if statement.

So my advice is : whatever you are trying to do : always free the memory outside any loop/if statement (assuming you don't need it anymore of course). I usually free it at the end of the function where it's last used but it really depends on the function itself, its length, ....

Try finding your way of doing things and stick to it : it will save you a lot of useless brain time (which is really precious)