How does memory management work in a C++ game engine?

How does memory management work in a C++ game engine?

Memory management in a C++ game engine involves allocating and deallocating memory for game objects, textures, and other resources. It typically uses techniques like manual memory management, smart pointers, and memory pools to optimize performance and prevent leaks.

What are smart pointers and how do they help?

Smart pointers are objects that manage the lifetime of dynamically allocated memory. They automatically deallocate memory when it's no longer needed, helping to prevent memory leaks and dangling pointers. Common types include std::unique_ptr and std::shared_ptr.

Can you explain memory pools?

Memory pools are a technique where a large block of memory is allocated upfront, and smaller chunks are allocated from this block as needed. This reduces fragmentation and improves performance by minimizing the overhead of frequent allocations and deallocations.

What are the common pitfalls in memory management?

Common pitfalls include memory leaks, where allocated memory is not freed, and dangling pointers, where a pointer references memory that has already been deallocated. It's crucial to track memory usage and ensure proper allocation and deallocation.