malloc101

• memory allocator in c, providing basic functionalities

Description

• Features
  • malloc(), calloc(), realloc(), free() functions are implemented
  • print_heap_structure() function to print the current linked list memory blocks
• Requesting memory
  • uses mmap()/munmap() system calls interact with the OS memory system
  • Memory is only requested from the OS when absolutely necessary, minimizing system calls for efficiency.
• Allocation Tracking
  • all allocated and freed memory segments are tracked through a linked list
  • whenever a call to malloc/realloc/calloc is made the list is searched first for any available memory
  • Free Segments are Splitted if they are greater than requested allocations to decrease internal fragmentaion
• Freeing & Cleaning
  • When a memory block is freed, it is marked as available in the linked list, and adjacent free blocks are merged Coalesced to reduce fragmentation.
  • cleanup() is used to return all freed memory segments back to the OS's control using munmap()