Heap Allocation
Heap allocation is a memory management technique where dynamic memory is allocated at runtime from a region called the heap, allowing programs to request and release memory as needed. It enables flexible data structures like linked lists and trees, but requires manual management in languages like C/C++ or automatic garbage collection in others. This contrasts with stack allocation, which is fixed at compile-time and used for local variables.
Developers should learn heap allocation for building applications that require dynamic memory usage, such as handling variable-sized data, implementing complex data structures, or managing large datasets. It's essential in systems programming, game development, and performance-critical applications where memory efficiency is crucial, but must be used carefully to avoid leaks or fragmentation.