A memory leak is the gradual loss of
available computer memory when a program (an application or
part of the operating system) repeatedly fails to return memory that it
has obtained for temporary use. As a result, the available memory for that
application or that part of the operating system becomes exhausted and the
program can no longer function. For a program that is frequently opened or
called or that runs continuously, even a very small memory leak can eventually
cause the program or the system to terminate. A memory leak is the result of a
program bug.
Some operating systems provide memory
leak detection so that a problem can be detected before an application or the
operating system crashes. Some program development tools also provide automatic
"housekeeping" for the developer. It is always the best programming
practice to return memory and any temporary file to the operating system after
the program no longer needs it.
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