Re: "free"ing allocated memory

[Stephen Leake <Stephen.Leake@gsfc.nasa.gov>]

-- Randy Kosarik wrote:
> 
> (This is the 4th time I am trying to send this to the newsgroup so,
> please disregard any copies if they make it here.... ISP has a
> newsserver problem)
> 
> Hi,
> 
> I have a project in school that is completed with the exception of one
> part. Releasing the memory that I am no longer using in
> my linked lists. While the program would never use all of the memory in
> the machine, I do not like the idea of making my code
> any sloppier than I already do (experience should remove my wasteful
> code <HOPEFULLY!>).

A great attitude; you'll make a great programmer someday.

> I allocate/create the new memory blocks with this routine.. But I cannot
> seem to figure out how to "free" the memory in Ada.

You need to instantiate Ada.Unchecked_Conversion; look in your text or
ask your prof for details (s/he may be postponing teaching this for a
good reason). The "Unchecked" in the name is a warning that you are
responsible for ensuring you don't "free" something that is still being
used; this is known as the "dangling pointer" problem.

- Stephe