memory leak

2 definitions found

memory leak - Free On-line Dictionary of Computing (26 May 2007) :

  memory leak
  core leak
  leaky heap
  
     <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.
  
     [Jargon File]
  
     (2003-10-07)
  

memory leak - Jargon File (4.4.4, 14 Aug 2003) :

  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.