The alloc() Function

Many programs I’ve worked on use very few direct calls to malloc(), using the identically declared alloc() function instead. Alloc detects out-of-memory conditions and aborts, removing the need for error checking on every call of malloc() (and the temptation to skip checking for out-of-memory).

As a convenience, SMARTALLOC supplies a compatible version of alloc() in the file alloc.c, with its definition in the file alloc.h. This version of alloc() is sensitive to the definition of SMARTALLOC and cooperates with SMARTALLOC’s orphaned buffer detection. In addition, when SMARTALLOC is defined and alloc() detects an out of memory condition, it takes advantage of the SMARTALLOC diagnostic information to identify the file and line number of the call on alloc() that failed.

See also

• Installing SMARTALLOC

• Squelching SMARTALLOC

• Living with Libraries

• SMARTALLOC Details

• When SMARTALLOC Is Disabled

• Overlays and Underhandedness

• Test and Demonstration Program

• Invitation to Hack

Possible Next Steps

Go back to Smart Memory Allocation.

Go back to Developer Guide.