The heap is a region of memory used for dynamic allocation, where variables and objects are created at runtime. Unlike stack memory, which is managed automatically, heap memory requires explicit allocation and deallocation—or garbage collection, depending on the programming language. The heap is crucial for storing large, flexible data structures that outlive the functions that created them.
Why it matters
Understanding heap behavior helps developers diagnose memory leaks, fragmentation, and performance issues. Many runtime errors and performance bottlenecks stem from inefficient heap usage. The distinction between stack and heap is foundational to how programming languages manage memory.
Examples
Creating objects in languages like Java or Python allocates memory on the heap. Lessons related to memory management, such as What Is Memory Usage?, explain how systems handle allocation.