VALGRIND
C++ Examples of the VALGRIND Memory Leak Detector

VALGRIND is a directory of C++ programs which illustrate the use of VALGRIND, a suite of programs which includes a memory leak detector.

The simplest way to use VALGRIND on a program that is suspected of having memory leaks is to compile with the "-g" option, and then issue the VALGRIND command followed by the normal execution command:

        g++ -g myprog.C
        mv a.out myprog
        valgrind myprog
      

On a Macintosh, it is necessary to include a particular switch that generates the necessary symbol tables in order that VALGRIND can report line numbers.

        valgrind --dsymutil=yes myprog
      

Essentially, VALGRIND runs the program, but constantly watches to detect illegal memory references, and prints messages when these are spotted.

Licensing:

The computer code and data files described and made available on this web page are distributed under the GNU LGPL license.

Languages:

VALGRIND examples are available in a C version and a C++ version and a FORTRAN77 version. a FORTRAN90 version.

Related Data and Programs:

GDB, FORTRAN90 programs which illustrate the use of the GNU debugger program on a FORTRAN90 program;

Reference:

1. Julian Seward, et al,
   Valgrind Documentation.

Examples and Tests:

TEST01 is an example in which 11 elements of the Fibonacci sequence are stored in a vector allocated only for 10 elements:

• test01.cpp, the calling program;
• test01.sh, commands to compile, link and run the sample calling program;
• test01_output.txt, the output file.
• test01_valgrind_output.txt, the output file using VALGRIND.

TEST02 is an example in which some uninitialized data is accessed.

• test02.cpp, the calling program;
• test02.sh, commands to compile, link and run the sample calling program;
• test02_output.txt, the output file.
• test02_valgrind_output.txt, the output file using VALGRIND.

You can go up one level to the C++ source codes.