Allocator: meaning, definitions and examples
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allocator
[ ˌæl.əˈkeɪ.tər ]
memory management
An allocator is a component in programming that is responsible for managing memory allocation and deallocation. It provides a way for programs to request memory and track usage to avoid leaks and fragmentation.
Synonyms
memory distributor, memory manager, resource manager
Examples of usage
- The memory allocator efficiently manages dynamic memory.
- In C++, you can define a custom allocator.
- Using the same allocator for multiple objects avoids fragmentation.
- The allocator failed to provide sufficient memory.
Etymology
The term 'allocator' originates from the Latin word 'allocare', which means 'to assign' or 'to distribute'. It was adapted into English in the field of computer science to refer to a system or method for assigning memory or resources in programming. The concept became critical in the early days of computing, as efficient memory management was essential for optimizing performance. As programming languages evolved, the allocator gained prominence in languages like C and C++, which provided developers with the ability to directly manage memory allocation and deallocation. Over time, the allocator model has expanded to include various types of memory management strategies, such as heap allocation and stack allocation, leading to its widespread use in modern software development.