Memory fragmentation

Memory fragmentation refers to a situation where free memory is split into scattered, disconnected blocks over time, typically resulting from continuous memory allocation and deallocation using functions like malloc() in languages such as C or C++. Fragmentation occurs primarily in heap memory, causing allocation requests for large contiguous blocks to fail even though sufficient total memory exists in smaller, non-adjacent chunks. This issue significantly impacts system performance, especially in embedded systems and long-running applications, by causing slower memory allocations, inefficient memory utilization, and sometimes even application failures due to allocation errors.

To fix memory fragmentation, optimize memory allocation strategies to minimize frequent allocation and deallocation cycles. Use memory pools or fixed-size memory blocks to manage allocations efficiently, particularly in embedded systems. Leverage specialized allocators designed to reduce fragmentation, such as slab allocators or buddy allocators, depending on your application's needs. Regularly analyze your application's memory allocation patterns using profiling tools to identify and address fragmentation hotspots proactively. Additionally, periodically restarting long-running systems or applications can help reclaim fragmented memory and restore performance.