What is the difference between dynamic arrays and static arrays in C++?
The main differences between dynamic arrays and static arrays in C++ are as follows:
- Memory allocation method: Memory allocation for static arrays is done at compile time, while memory allocation for dynamic arrays is done dynamically at runtime.
- Size limitation: Static arrays require the size to be determined at compile time, while dynamic arrays can be changed during runtime as needed.
- Storage location: Static arrays are typically stored in the stack, while dynamic arrays are usually stored in the heap.
- The lifespan of a static array is the same as its scope, whereas the lifespan of a dynamic array can be controlled by releasing memory.
- Accessing method: For static arrays, you can access them directly using indexes, whereas for dynamic arrays, you need to use pointers and pointer operators to access them.
It should be noted that for dynamic arrays, memory allocation needs to be manually released to prevent memory leaks. In contrast, static arrays do not require manual memory release as the allocation and deallocation are automatically handled by the compiler.