Memory leak in C: solved exercise and fix

Memory leak in C: solved exercise and fix

This exercise is scheduled for daily publication and follows the standard site structure: statement, solution, and expected output.

Problem statement

Solve the practical case and verify the console output.

C solution

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#include <stdio.h>
#include <stdlib.h>

int main(void) {
    int *a = (int *)malloc(5 * sizeof(int));
    if (!a) return 1;
    for (int i = 0; i < 5; i++) a[i] = i * i;
    printf("a[4] = %d\n", a[4]);
    free(a);
    return 0;
}

Expected output

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a[4] = 16

Common mistakes

  • Not validating standard-function return values.
  • Ignoring edge cases for indices, pointers, or buffers.
  • Skipping example-based test runs before publishing.

Practical use

Detecting and fixing memory leaks is essential in servers, daemons, and any long-running process.

Guided practice and full book

If you want a complete path with progressive difficulty:

FAQ

Is this exercise useful for C exams and technical interviews?

Yes. It targets patterns that commonly appear in practice assignments, technical interviews, and C programming exams.

Where can I keep practicing with more solved C exercises?

In Programming in C in 100 Solved Exercises and C Exercises. Kindle Unlimited: View on Amazon.

How should I practice this exercise type to improve faster?

Start with small inputs, run edge cases (empty, one item, max capacity), then rewrite the solution from scratch without copying.