Stack vs Heap in C++: Where Your Objects Live

In C++, when you create an object (class/struct instance), memory comes from one of two main places: the stack or the heap.
This choice affects speed, safety, lifetime, and size limits.

Quick Comparison Table

Stack Allocation (Automatic / Local)

• Super fast & safe — compiler handles everything.
• Objects live only in current scope (function/block).
• No new/delete needed → no leaks!

void func() {
    Entity local("Stack Entity");   // ← stack-allocated
    // local dies automatically when func() ends
}

Entity* createEntity() {
    Entity* dynamic = new Entity("Heap Entity");   // ← heap-allocated
    return dynamic;   // safe to return pointer
}

// Later...
Entity* e = createEntity();
delete e;   // MUST delete or → memory leak!