UnsafeUtility.Malloc

Parameters

Returns

void* A pointer to the allocated memory block. Manage this pointer carefully to prevent memory leaks and ensure proper deallocation.

Description

Allocates a block of memory of a specified size and alignment.

The Malloc method allocates a block of unmanaged memory. It allows developers to specify the size in bytes and the alignment of the memory block. This method is critical in performance-critical applications where precise memory control is required.

The memory allocated is not initialized to zero. Ensure that you free the allocated memory with UnsafeUtility.Free when it is no longer needed.

using UnityEngine;
using Unity.Collections;
using Unity.Collections.LowLevel.Unsafe;

public class MallocExample : MonoBehaviour
{
    void Start()
    {
        // Specify the number of elements
        int numElements = 10;

        // Allocate memory for an array of integers
        unsafe
        {
            int* array = (int*)UnsafeUtility.Malloc(numElements * sizeof(int), UnsafeUtility.AlignOf<int>(), Allocator.Temp);

            // Initialize the array with some values
            for (int i = 0; i < numElements; i++)
            {
                array[i] = i * 2;
            }

            // Output the contents of the array
            for (int i = 0; i < numElements; i++)
            {
                Debug.Log(array[i]);  // Expected output: 0, 2, 4, 6, ..., 18
            }

            // Free the allocated memory
            UnsafeUtility.Free(array, Allocator.Temp);
        }
    }
}

Additional resources: UnsafeUtility.MallocTracked, UnsafeUtility.FreeTracked.