Dynamic memory allocation across programming languages

Question

I have a question regarding dynamic memory allocation.

When it comes to C, memory is allocated using the functions malloc(), calloc() and realloc() and de-allocated using free().

However in objected oriented languages like C++,C# and Java, memory is dynamically allocated using the new and deallocated using delete keywords (operators) in case of C++.

My question is, why are there operators instead of functions for these objected oriented languages for dynamic memory allocation? Even when using new, finally a pointer is returned to the class object reference during allocation, just like a function.

Is this done only to simplify the syntax? Or is there a more profound reason?

Answer 1

In C, the memory allocation functions are just that. They allocate memory. Nothing else. And you have to remember to release that memory when done.

In the OO languages (C++, C#, Java, ...), a new operator will allocate memory, but it will also call the object constructor, which is a special method for initializing the object.

As you can see, that is semantically a totally different thing. The new operator is not just simpler syntax, it's actually different from plain memory allocation.

In C++, you still have to remember to release that memory when done.

In C# and Java, that will be handled for you by the Garbage Collector.