What are common memory leaks in C and how can I fix them?

What are common memory leaks in C and how can I fix them?

Common memory leaks in C occur when dynamically allocated memory is not freed. Examples include forgetting to call free() after malloc() or losing references to allocated memory.

Can you give me an example of a memory leak?

Sure! For instance, if you allocate memory for an array using malloc but forget to free it before the function exits, that memory remains allocated and is considered a leak.

How can I detect memory leaks in my C program?

You can use tools like Valgrind or AddressSanitizer to detect memory leaks. They help identify where memory is allocated and not freed.

What are some best practices to avoid memory leaks?

Best practices include always freeing allocated memory, using smart pointers if available, and regularly reviewing your code for proper memory management.