Memory Structure in C (1)

Virtual memory can be seen as an array of characters whose size is 2^32 (in 32-bit computer)

1. Stack
   • Automatically managed memory; when a function returns, its stack memory is released.
   • Stores local variables, parameters, and return addresses for function calls.
2. Heap
   • Area for dynamically allocated memory
   • The programmer manages memory allocation and deallocation (e.g., using malloc/free in C).
3. BSS(Block Started by Symbol)
   • Contains uninitialized global and static variables.
   • Memory is initialized to zero before use but doesn't have an explicit allocation until it's assigned.
4. Data
   • Includes initialized global and static variables.
   • These variables have assigned values when the program starts.
5. RO Data
   • Keeps read-only constant data.
   • Includes string literals and constant arrays, which cannot be modified.
6. Code
   • Stores instructions of a program.
   • The CPU reads instructions from this section.
   • Typically read-only and cannot be modified.