Memory Safety
Memory safety is a property of programming languages and systems that prevents errors related to improper memory access, such as buffer overflows, use-after-free, and null pointer dereferences. It ensures that programs only access memory they are allowed to, typically through compile-time checks, runtime mechanisms, or language design. This concept is critical for security, reliability, and stability in software development.
Developers should learn about memory safety to build secure and robust applications, especially in systems programming, embedded systems, and security-critical domains. It helps prevent common vulnerabilities like those listed in the CWE Top 25, reducing the risk of exploits and crashes. Using memory-safe languages or tools can save debugging time and improve code quality in projects where performance and safety are priorities.