where does function reside in memory in C++

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Sean - 17 Aug 2004 22:06 GMT

Hi all,

I know that some variables are stored on heaps and some on
stack in C++. How about functions? where does function
reside on memory? Is it stack or heap?

And are both function (not class member) and method
(function in a class) stored in the same location (either
stack or heap)?

Thank you very much in advance.

regards,
Sean

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William DePalo [MVP VC++] - 17 Aug 2004 23:09 GMT

> I know that some variables are stored on heaps and some on
> stack in C++. How about functions? where does function
> reside on memory? Is it stack or heap?

Neither. When you run an application, Windows' loader inspects the image
file, pre-allocates memory and copies the binary executable (functions and
all) into the memory. This memory is not considered to be stack or heap. Why
do you want to know?

> And are both function (not class member) and method
> (function in a class) stored in the same location (either
> stack or heap)?

As above.

I sense a bit of confusion, here. :-)

Stack and heap are used for dynamic allocations though most stack
allocations have much shorter lifetimes, functions tend to "live" for the
life of an application.

Regards,
Will

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Sean - 18 Aug 2004 01:24 GMT

Hi Will,

Thanks for your reply.
I'm just curious since we ocassionally have function
pointers and I was wondering where
the pointers point to? :)

regards,
Sean

>-----Original Message-----
>> I know that some variables are stored on heaps and some on
[quoted text clipped - 22 lines]
>
>.

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where does function reside in memory in C++

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