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Learn Memory Management in C

Learn how to manually manage memory in C and build a garbage collector from scratch.

What will you learn?

Memory management is something that every programmer needs to deal with and understand at some point. If you're used to working with languages and tools that handle it for you, this course will teach you how all that works under the hood. You'll even build your own garbage collectors from scratch. This course will teach you the C basics you need for the course, but it's not a course about C, it's about memory.

Chapter List

1
C Basics
Introduction to the basics of the C programming language
2
Structs
Understand how C structs work and how they're laid out in memory
3
Pointers
You thought pointers were hard? Wrong. Let's figure them out together.
4
Enums
Learn how to use enums (enumerations) in C to create a set of named constants.
5
Unions
Unions in C are not the same as they are in TypeScript. Let's grok C unions.
6
Stack and Heap
Understand the difference between allocating memory on the stack and the heap
7
Advanced Pointers
Let's practice some more advanced pointer concepts - like pointers to pointers
8
Stack Data Structure
Build a stack in C using structs and pointers and understand where the memory is allocated
9
Objects
Implement your own object system for later use in your garbage collection algorithms
10
Refcounting GC
Implement a simple reference counting garbage collector from scratch in C
11
Mark and Sweep GC
Implement a basic mark and sweep garbage collector and understand its tradeoffs with refcounting

Join 28,947 students in the Learn Memory Management in C course

Read reviews of their learning experiences

its comprehensive, but still easy to grasp and understand. boots is also helpful at rephrasing concepts and helping you understand them better

(5/5)
MJ  profile image

MJ

Netherlands

They do a nice job of showing just enough C to demonstrate the low-level memory management concepts.

(4/5)
Steve Bonds profile image

Steve Bonds

Beaverton, OR, USA

Great learning xp

(5/5)
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Toto Buddy

United States

This course is essential if you want to work in backend. You will learn so much about lower level processes that will aid you in your future endeavors.

(5/5)
Andreas O'Rourke profile image

Andreas O'Rourke

United States

Very useful to know about how to manage memory, all the leaks :D recommend it

(5/5)
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Paulina

Lithuania

This is going to make you sweat.

(5/5)
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Tomás Cabrero

United States

Its fun

(4/5)
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Yah oo

United States

Challenging course, at least with zero C experience beforehand. Felt so very unpleasant at first but it was worth it!

(5/5)
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Ossi Lehto

Finland

Amazing course!! You will learn a lot!

(5/5)
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Pastor Soto

Venezuela

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Mediocrity doesn't cut it anymore

The only way to become a great developer is to write a lot of code

Avoid tutorial hell

by writing a ton of code

Stay motivated with

a game-like curriculum

Build portfolio projects

to prove your skills

Delve deeper

into foundational concepts

Learn flexibly online

without interrupting your life

For 1% the price of college

to minimize your financial risk

Frequently asked Questions

Got questions? We've got answers

Yes! It's free to create an account and start learning. You'll get all the immersive and interactive features for free for a few chapters. After that, if you still haven't paid for a membership, you'll be in read-only (content only) mode.