Related Searches
on Ask.com
Browse Nearby Entries
memory leak
3 dictionary results for: Memory leak
Free On-line Dictionary of Computing - Cite This Source - Share This
memory leak programming
A leak in a program's dynamic store allocation logic that causes it to fail to reclaim memory in the heap after it has finished using it, eventually causing the program to fail due to lack of memory.
These problems were severe on older machines with small, fixed-size address spaces, and special "leak detection" tools were written to diagnose them.
The introduction of virtual memory made memory leaks a less serious problem, although if you run out of virtual memory, it means you've got a *real* leak!
See aliasing bug.
[The Jargon File]
(2003-10-07)
The Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, © 1993-2007 Denis Howe
Jargon File 4.2.0
Jargon File - Cite This Source - Share This
memory leak
n. An error in a program's dynamic-store allocation logic that causes it to fail to reclaim discarded memory, leading to eventual collapse due to memory exhaustion. Also (esp. at CMU) called core leak. These problems were severe on older machines with small, fixed-size address spaces, and special "leak detection" tools were commonly written to root them out. With the advent of virtual memory, it is unfortunately easier to be sloppy about wasting a bit of memory (although when you run out of memory on a VM machine, it means you've got a _real_ leak!). See aliasing bug, fandango on core, smash the stack, precedence lossage, overrun screw, leaky heap, leak.
Jargon File 4.2.0
Share This:
Copyright © 2008, Dictionary.com, LLC. All rights reserved.