When writing a program, the computer has two areas of memory where it can store data: the stack and the heap.

Stack

The stack is a region of memory limited to the application, that is allocated for a program when it starts running. It is used to store local variables, function parameters, and return addresses. The stack is a last-in-first-out (LIFO) data structure, meaning that the most recently added item is the first one to be removed. This makes it very efficient for keeping track of function calls and local variables.

The memory size of the Stack will be limited, Access to the data will be faster, and Memory will be allocated in a contiguous block.

Heap

The heap, on the other hand, is a region of memory that is not automatically managed by the computer. It is used to store dynamically allocated memory, such as objects or arrays, that are not known at compile time. The heap is a much larger memory space than the stack and can be accessed in a more random order.

The Memory size of the Stack will be Extendable, Access to the data will be slower compared to the Stack, and Memory will be allocated in a random order

Differences

The main differences between the stack and the heap are in how they are allocated and managed. The stack is managed automatically by the computer and is allocated and deallocated in a strict order. This makes it very efficient for keeping track of function calls and local variables.

The heap, on the other hand, is allocated and deallocated manually by the program. This means that the program must keep track of which memory it has allocated and when it is no longer needed. This can be more complicated, but it allows for more flexible memory management.

Another difference is in the size of the memory space. The stack is typically much smaller than the heap and is limited by the amount of available memory. The heap, on the other hand, can grow as needed, up to the limit of available memory.

Conclusion

In conclusion, both the stack and the heap are essential parts of a computer's memory. The stack is used for storing local variables and function calls, while the heap is used for dynamic memory allocation. Understanding the differences between the two is essential for writing efficient and effective programs.