Struct std::alloc::System

1.28.0 · source ·
pub struct System;
Expand description

The default memory allocator provided by the operating system.

This is based on malloc on Unix platforms and HeapAlloc on Windows, plus related functions. However, it is not valid to mix use of the backing system allocator with System, as this implementation may include extra work, such as to serve alignment requests greater than the alignment provided directly by the backing system allocator.

This type implements the GlobalAlloc trait and Rust programs by default work as if they had this definition:

use std::alloc::System;

#[global_allocator]
static A: System = System;

fn main() {
    let a = Box::new(4); // Allocates from the system allocator.
    println!("{a}");
}
Run

You can also define your own wrapper around System if you’d like, such as keeping track of the number of all bytes allocated:

use std::alloc::{System, GlobalAlloc, Layout};
use std::sync::atomic::{AtomicUsize, Ordering::SeqCst};

struct Counter;

static ALLOCATED: AtomicUsize = AtomicUsize::new(0);

unsafe impl GlobalAlloc for Counter {
    unsafe fn alloc(&self, layout: Layout) -> *mut u8 {
        let ret = System.alloc(layout);
        if !ret.is_null() {
            ALLOCATED.fetch_add(layout.size(), SeqCst);
        }
        ret
    }

    unsafe fn dealloc(&self, ptr: *mut u8, layout: Layout) {
        System.dealloc(ptr, layout);
        ALLOCATED.fetch_sub(layout.size(), SeqCst);
    }
}

#[global_allocator]
static A: Counter = Counter;

fn main() {
    println!("allocated bytes before main: {}", ALLOCATED.load(SeqCst));
}
Run

It can also be used directly to allocate memory independently of whatever global allocator has been selected for a Rust program. For example if a Rust program opts in to using jemalloc as the global allocator, System will still allocate memory using malloc and HeapAlloc.

Trait Implementations

🔬This is a nightly-only experimental API. (allocator_api #32838)
Attempts to allocate a block of memory. Read more
🔬This is a nightly-only experimental API. (allocator_api #32838)
Behaves like allocate, but also ensures that the returned memory is zero-initialized. Read more
🔬This is a nightly-only experimental API. (allocator_api #32838)
Deallocates the memory referenced by ptr. Read more
🔬This is a nightly-only experimental API. (allocator_api #32838)
Attempts to extend the memory block. Read more
🔬This is a nightly-only experimental API. (allocator_api #32838)
Behaves like grow, but also ensures that the new contents are set to zero before being returned. Read more
🔬This is a nightly-only experimental API. (allocator_api #32838)
Attempts to shrink the memory block. Read more
🔬This is a nightly-only experimental API. (allocator_api #32838)
Creates a “by reference” adapter for this instance of Allocator. Read more
Returns a copy of the value. Read more
Performs copy-assignment from source. Read more
Formats the value using the given formatter. Read more
Returns the “default value” for a type. Read more
Allocate memory as described by the given layout. Read more
Behaves like alloc, but also ensures that the contents are set to zero before being returned. Read more
Deallocate the block of memory at the given ptr pointer with the given layout. Read more
Shrink or grow a block of memory to the given new_size. The block is described by the given ptr pointer and layout. Read more

Auto Trait Implementations

Blanket Implementations

Gets the TypeId of self. Read more
Immutably borrows from an owned value. Read more
Mutably borrows from an owned value. Read more

Returns the argument unchanged.

Calls U::from(self).

That is, this conversion is whatever the implementation of From<T> for U chooses to do.

The resulting type after obtaining ownership.
Creates owned data from borrowed data, usually by cloning. Read more
Uses borrowed data to replace owned data, usually by cloning. Read more
The type returned in the event of a conversion error.
Performs the conversion.
The type returned in the event of a conversion error.
Performs the conversion.