realloc

OS/161 Reference Manual

Name

realloc - resize allocated memory

Library

Standard C Library (libc, -lc)

Synopsis

#include <stdlib.h>

void *
realloc(void *ptr, size_t newsize);

Description

realloc attempts to change the size of the memory block pointed to by ptr to newsize, causing the block to shrink or grow as necessary. The size of NULL is treated as 0. Any newly allocated space has undefined contents; the contents of existing space not discarded by shrinkage are preserved.

ptr be NULL or have been previously returned by malloc, calloc, or realloc.

The alignment and other restrictions described for malloc apply equally to realloc.

Return Values

realloc returns a pointer to the resized memory block. This may not be the same pointer as ptr if for internal reasons it is necessary to move the memory block. If such a move takes place, the old block is invalidated and ptr becomes invalid.

If the resize operation cannot be performed, NULL is returned, in which case the original block pointed to by ptr is untouched and remains valid.