Problem allocating memory

[theotick]

I'm new to linux and learning C++. I'm working on a project that requires a dynamic two dimensional array. I wrote the following class but when I compile (compiles fine) and run I can't allocate an array larger than 5x5( 25 integers):


class vectorArray{
private:
int nRow, nCol;
int * localArray;
public:
int pRow, pCol;
int arraySize;
vectorArray( int, int );
~vectorArray();
int accessArray( int, int);
void modifyArray( int, int, int );
};
vectorArray::vectorArray( int a, int b ){
localArray = new (nothrow) int[nRow*nCol];
if( localArray == 0 ){
cout << "Memory not allocated:: Exiting"<< endl;
exit(1);
}
nRow = a;
nCol = b;
pRow = nRow;
pCol = nCol;
arraySize = (nRow*nCol)-1;
}
int vectorArray::accessArray( int arow, int acolumn){
return( localArray[(arow*nCol)+acolumn] );
}
void vectorArray::modifyArray( int arow, int acolumn, int nvalue){
localArray[(arow*nCol)+acolumn] = nvalue;
}
vectorArray::~vectorArray(){
delete localArray;
}


The laptop I'm using isn't a powerhouse but free -m shows 40mb of free memory so shouldn't I be able to allocate up to 10million integers? Can anyone help?

[hod139]

Your problem is that you are using nRow and nCol before setting them. Also, using exceptions with new is better than checking for 0. Try


vectorArray::vectorArray( int a, int b ) {
//Set nRow and nCol before using in new
nRow = a;
nCol = b;
localArray=NULL; // should always have pointers point to NULL
try
{
localArray = new int[nRow*nCol];
}
catch (std::bad_alloc &ba)
{
std::cout << "Memory not allocated:: Exiting"<< std::endl;
exit(1);
}
...

[theotick]

Yes that was it, thank you :)

[hod139]

No problem. Can you please mark the thread as resolved.

Also, I should also point out that your code leaks. Your destructor should be


delete[] localArray

[iharrold]

You should get in the habit of putting the class variables in the class constructor implementation... like this from hod's help


class vectorArray
{
private:
int nRow, nCol;
int * localArray;
public:
int pRow, pCol;
int arraySize;
vectorArray( int, int );
~vectorArray();
int accessArray( int, int);
void modifyArray( int, int, int );
};

vectorArray::vectorArray( int a, int b ):
nRow(a),
nCol(b),
localArray(NULL),
pRow(a),
pCol(b),
arraySize((a*b)-1)
{
try
{
localArray = new int[nRow*nCol];
}
catch (std::bad_alloc &ba)
{
cout << "Memory not allocated:: Exiting"<< endl;
exit(1);
}
}
int vectorArray::accessArray( int arow, int acolumn){
return( localArray[(arow*nCol)+acolumn] );
}
void vectorArray::modifyArray( int arow, int acolumn, int nvalue){
localArray[(arow*nCol)+acolumn] = nvalue;
}
vectorArray::~vectorArray(){
delete[] localArray;
}