What is a 'HEAP'?
This is a reference types storage, memory management process enabler and programming utility, location. A heap is typically best described as an amassing, accumulation of piled-up, stacking, bundling or loading, layering, mounding… For .NET and programming contexts, these same actions under this nomer, refer to a specific and dedicated area of memory where reference types are stored.
Things to remember when using heap-functions and allocations: memory allocated by HeapAlloc is not movable and (ii) address returned by HeapAlloc is valid until the memory block is freed or reallocated; (iii) the memory block does not need to be locked.
Because the system cannot compact a private heap, it can become fragmented. Applications that allocate large amounts of memory in various allocation sizes can use the low-fragmentation heap to reduce heap fragmentation
Runtime manages this space and functionality, also referred to at times as dynamic memory allocation. Thus, for all intents and purposes improve performance by optimization, distributing ownership of limited memory resources among many pieces of data and code.
Heap-related activities, permissions and actions, can be done explicitly, by default settings, automated, by the programmer manually, exiting a block, or by the garbage collector. Heap management is also called Garbage Collection (GB) (see define elsewhere). User-defined, value, reference types repository, from location, allocation, creation and function, familiarity with this key component is and essential tool to have in your toolkit. Each process has a default heap provided by the system. Applications that make frequent allocations from the heap can improve performance by using private heaps.
Key Exam Points
- Use Heap for memory allocation and optimization, storage of reference types, garbage collection (GC)
- For the exam study examples for HEAP applications, practical uses, that help you to gain a better understanding of this topic and related terminology.
- Take the practice exam, test questions (with answers and solutions), as well as the work-lab exercises to master Heap, memory allocations, prepare for the final reckoning.
Related Terms
Stack, Garbage Collection (GC).
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