Difference Between Mmap and Malloc
Table of Contents
In C programming, there is a dynamic memory that points at the allocation of the memory in the C standard library via a set of functions. Malloc is one of these, which is used for allocating memory. Then there is mmap. That is used as a memory-mapped system that has its unique input and output. These two provide the same functions but more digging into this topic reveals some differences.
Mmap vs Malloc
The main difference between mmap and malloc is that mmap’s execution time is a lot less than that of malloc. Malloc is the main memory allocation interface whereas, mmap is a system. That is responsible for the kernel to search for large enough addresses for allowing the mapping of many pages.
Mmap in computing is a POSIX multi-tasking system call that records all the data or files and devices into its memory. This is also known as the method that falls under memory-mapped file and implements the copying of data into its physical memory as the content can’t be directly read from the drive.
Malloc is the short form for the term memory allocation that is used to allocate a huge block of data dynamically, regarding the specified size, and when it succeeds, it returns a pointer that points to the first byte of the memory allocated, otherwise returns NULL. In the actual memory allocation mechanism, there are many different accomplishments available that are used by Malloc.
Comparison Table Between Mmap and Malloc
| Parameters of Comparison | Mmap | Malloc |
| Definition | Mmap is referred to a system call that asks the kernel to find a large address for mapping of pages. | Malloc is the main memory allocation interface that gathers all the facilities available in the system. |
| Function | Mmap uses the context switch and makes it into a kernelland. | Malloc allocates the block of memory in apile. |
| Also called as | Mmap is also known as a system call. | Malloc is also known as the main memory allocation interface. |
| Results | Mmap does not result in affecting other system performance. | Malloc disorganizes and creates a poor performance of the system. |
| Best suited for | Mmap is best suited to speed up the process of responses given by applications. | Malloc is best suited for allocating memory in any application in the system. |
What is Mmap?
Mmap is referred to a Unix system call of POSIX compliant that maps the data, file, or device into the memory. It is an input, output method of memory mapping. In the calling process, a new mapping is created in the virtual address space. In addr. the initial address of new mapping is found and the length of the mapping is specified by the length argument (which should be more than 0).
If the addr is found to be NULL, then the address is chosen by the kernel, which makes the mapping, which is considered to be the easiest method of making new mapping. If the address is not Found as NULL, then the kernel considers it as an indication for placing the mapping at a place on Linux.
The kernel finds the nearest page boundary and tries to make a mapping in that area. If the kernel finds a mapping that is already existing in the area, then it selects a new address that might depend on the indication that the kernel assumed. As a result of this call, the address of the new mapping is sent back. Right after the call is returned, the file descriptor, fd, close the mapping immediately without invalidation.
What is Malloc?
The malloc () is a memory allocation function that allocates the size bytes and sends back a pointer to the memory that is been allocated. The memory is not set to its initial position. If the size byte name is 0, then either NULL or a unique value pointer is sent by malloc (), which can, later on, be passed to free () successfully.
The memory space that is been pointed by ptr, is released by the free () function, which was supposed to be sent back by malloc (). Else, undefined behavior is said to occur, if the free (ptr) is been called previously. No operation is done or performed if the ptr is Found NULL. If the ptr is found is NULL, then the value of a call is equal to malloc (size), for every value of size; if it is equivalent to 0, and the ptr is not found to be NULL, then the call value is equal to free (ptr).
Only when the ptr is NULL, it should have been sent back by a previous call to malloc(). And the area that was pointed was changed, a free (ptr) is done. By default, an optimistic memory allocation strategy is followed by Linux which means that if malloc () sends a non-NULL back, there are chances that the memory might be lost. And if it turns out that the system has a shortage of memory, few processes will be destroyed by the OOM killer.
Main Differences Between Mmap and Malloc
Conclusion
In conclusion, mmap is a system call that asks the kernel to locate an empty region in an application address that would fit in the mapping of various memory pages while malloc is a memory allocation point that allocates a specified size block of memory. The memory is set at its run time which means until the program is been executed, no other space can be reserved.
At certain spots, mmap has a benefit over malloc yet, it is not recommended to opt for while choosing between these two for allocating memory as mmap splits the memory and then is unable to make a system call.
References
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