Malloc
Allocates a block of memory of a specified size and alignment.
Read time 3 minutesLast updated 12 days ago
Definition
- Type: Method
- Namespace: Unity.Collections.LowLevel.Unsafe
- Assembly: UnityEngine.CoreModule
Malloc(long, int, Allocator)
Allocates a block of memory of a specified size and alignment.
public static void* Malloc(long size, int alignment, Allocator allocator)
Parameters
Returns
Type | Description |
|---|---|
| void* | A pointer to the allocated memory block. Manage this pointer carefully to prevent memory leaks and ensure proper deallocation. |
Remarks
The method allocates a block of unmanaged memory. It allows developers to specify the size in bytes and the alignment of the memory block. This method is critical in performance-critical applications where precise memory control is required.
MallocThe memory allocated is not initialized to zero. Ensure that you free the allocated memory with UnsafeUtility.Free when it is no longer needed.
using UnityEngine;using Unity.Collections;using Unity.Collections.LowLevel.Unsafe;public class MallocExample : MonoBehaviour{ void Start() { // Specify the number of elements int numElements = 10; // Allocate memory for an array of integers unsafe { int* array = (int*)UnsafeUtility.Malloc(numElements * sizeof(int), UnsafeUtility.AlignOf<int>(), Allocator.Temp); // Initialize the array with some values for (int i = 0; i < numElements; i++) { array[i] = i * 2; } // Output the contents of the array for (int i = 0; i < numElements; i++) { Debug.Log(array[i]); // Expected output: 0, 2, 4, 6, ..., 18 } // Free the allocated memory UnsafeUtility.Free(array, Allocator.Temp); } }}
Additional Resources: UnsafeUtility.MallocTracked, UnsafeUtility.FreeTracked.
Malloc(long, int, MemoryLabel)
Allocates a block of memory of a specified size and alignment, using the specified memory label.
public static void* Malloc(long size, int alignment, MemoryLabel label)
Parameters
The number of bytes to allocate. Ensure this size matches the memory required for your data.
The alignment for the allocated memory block.
The memory label to allocate under.
Returns
Type | Description |
|---|---|
| void* | A pointer to the allocated memory block. Manage this pointer carefully to prevent memory leaks and ensure proper deallocation. |
Remarks
The method allocates a block of unmanaged memory. It allows developers to specify the size in bytes and the alignment of the memory block. This method is critical in performance-critical applications where precise memory control is required.
MallocSpecifying a memory label helps in profiling and debugging memory usage in Unity.
The memory allocated is not initialized to zero. Ensure that you free the allocated memory with UnsafeUtility.Free when it is no longer needed.
Examples
using UnityEngine;using Unity.Collections;using Unity.Collections.LowLevel.Unsafe;public class MallocMemoryLabelExample : MonoBehaviour{ static readonly MemoryLabel myMemoryLabel = new MemoryLabel("MyArea", "MyObject"); void Start() { // Specify the number of elements int numElements = 10; // Allocate memory for an array of integers using label unsafe { int* array = (int*)UnsafeUtility.Malloc(numElements * sizeof(int), UnsafeUtility.AlignOf<int>(), myMemoryLabel); // Initialize the array with some values for (int i = 0; i < numElements; i++) { array[i] = i * 2; } // Output the contents of the array for (int i = 0; i < numElements; i++) { Debug.Log(array[i]); // Expected output: 0, 2, 4, 6, ..., 18 } // Free the allocated memory using label UnsafeUtility.Free(array, myMemoryLabel); } }}