[Python-Dev] PyMem_MALLOC vs PyMem_Malloc

[M.-A. Lemburg]

Hirokazu Yamamoto wrote:
> Hello. I found several codes using PyMem_Free to free
> allocated memory with PyMem_MALLOC (ie: PyUnicode_AsWideCharString)
> 
> Is it safe?

Within the interpreter: yes.

In extensions: depends on the platform, but probably not.

The macros provide faster access to the C lib malloc calls.

The functions need to be used in extensions in case the interpreter will
free the resource or the extension wants to free an interpreter
allocated resource. They provide access to the malloc calls
used by the interpreter, which may operate on a different heap
than the extensions.

Within an extension the macros use the extension heap.

A subtle, but important difference.

-- 
Marc-Andre Lemburg
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