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When a program is loaded into memory, it is organized into three areas of memory, called segments: the text segment, stack segment, and the heap segment. The text segment (sometimes also called the code segment) is where the compiled code of the program itself resides. This is the machine language representation of the program steps to be carried out, including all functions making up the program, both user defined and system.
The remaining two areas of system memory is where storage may be allocated by the compiler for data storage. The stack is where memory is allocated for automatic variables within functions. A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) storage device where new storage is allocated and deallocated at only one "end", called the Top of the stack. When a program begins executing in the function main(), space is allocated on the stack for all variables declared within main(). If main() calls a function, func(), additional storage is allocated for the variables in func() at the top of the stack. Notice that the parameters passed by main() to func() are also stored on the stack. If func() were to call any additional functions, storage would be allocated at the new Top of stack. When func() returns, storage for its local variables is deallocated, and the Top of the stack returns to its old position. If main() were to call another function, storage would be allocated for that function at the Top. The memory allocated in the stack area is used and reused during program execution. It should be clear that memory allocated in this area will contain garbage values left over from previous usage.
The heap segment provides more stable storage of data for a program; memory allocated in the heap remains in existence for the duration of a program. Therefore, global variables (storage class external), and static variables are allocated on the heap. The memory allocated in the heap area, if initialized to zero at program start, remains zero until the program makes use of it. Thus, the heap area need not contain garbage.
The remaining two areas of system memory is where storage may be allocated by the compiler for data storage. The stack is where memory is allocated for automatic variables within functions. A stack is a Last In First Out (LIFO) storage device where new storage is allocated and deallocated at only one "end", called the Top of the stack. When a program begins executing in the function main(), space is allocated on the stack for all variables declared within main(). If main() calls a function, func(), additional storage is allocated for the variables in func() at the top of the stack. Notice that the parameters passed by main() to func() are also stored on the stack. If func() were to call any additional functions, storage would be allocated at the new Top of stack. When func() returns, storage for its local variables is deallocated, and the Top of the stack returns to its old position. If main() were to call another function, storage would be allocated for that function at the Top. The memory allocated in the stack area is used and reused during program execution. It should be clear that memory allocated in this area will contain garbage values left over from previous usage.
The heap segment provides more stable storage of data for a program; memory allocated in the heap remains in existence for the duration of a program. Therefore, global variables (storage class external), and static variables are allocated on the heap. The memory allocated in the heap area, if initialized to zero at program start, remains zero until the program makes use of it. Thus, the heap area need not contain garbage.
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