This is one basic question regarding C++ new and delete operator.


# include <iostream>
int main()
{
int *ptr = new int(10);
int i=0;
for (i=0 ; i<10 ;i++)
ptr[i] = 10;

delete [] ptr;
printf("%d",ptr[5]); // It prints the value 10

}

In the above program memory for the *ptr is created using new operator and the same memory is deleted using the delete. But after deleting the ptr also I can able to access the memory location using the ptr .
So any one please explain me what new() and delete() actually does.

Hi,
the code which you given is not working in VC++ compiler ..it gives run time error.....
sarwan

Dear,
Try this code which is the correct way to create a array.

# include <iostream>
int main()
{
int *ptr = new int[10];
int i=0;
for (i=0 ; i<10 ;i++)
  ptr[i] = i;


delete ptr;
printf("%d",ptr[5]);  // It prints the value 10

}

There's an error in that program, which someone else has already pointed out.

The reason you're able to use that memory after deleting it, is because it still exists. To oversimplify a bit, the new operator doesn't create new memory, the memory already exists; the new operator is there to arbitrate who gets what piece of memory. So when you free the memory, it still exists, but now the new operator "knows" it's allowed to give it to someone else.