In C runtime environment, which one of the following is stored in heap? A) A static variable declared inside a function B) An array of integers declared inside a function C) A dynamically allocated array of integers created using malloc() function call D) Return address of a function

Official answer: C) A dynamically allocated array of integers created using malloc() function call. Explanation: In the standard C memory layout: - Data / BSS Segment: Stores global variables and `static` variables, regardless of whether they are declared inside or outside a function (Option A). - Stack: Stores function activation records/call frames, which include local (automatic) variables (such as a local array declared in a function, Option B) and the return address of a function (Option D). - Heap: Used for dynamic memory allocation at runtime via functions such as `malloc()`, `calloc()`, `realloc()` (Option C). Therefore, dynamically allocated memory created using `malloc()` is stored in the heap, making C the correct option.

A) A static variable declared inside a function

B) An array of integers declared inside a function

D) Return address of a function

Programming in C

GATE CSE 2026 Set 2 · Q17

MCQ1 markEasy

Time00:00

In C runtime environment, which one of the following is stored in heap?

Select one answerSingle correct

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Solution

Step-by-step verified solution

Official answer: C) A dynamically allocated array of integers created using malloc() function call

Programming in C

In the standard C memory layout:

Data / BSS Segment: Stores global variables and static variables, regardless of whether they are declared inside or outside a function (Option A).
Stack: Stores function activation records/call frames, which include local (automatic) variables (such as a local array declared in a function, Option B) and the return address of a function (Option D).
Heap: Used for dynamic memory allocation at runtime via functions such as malloc(), calloc(), realloc() (Option C).

Therefore, dynamically allocated memory created using malloc() is stored in the heap, making C the correct option.

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This Programming in C previous year question is Q17 of the GATE CSE 2026 Set 2 paper. Find more GATE CSE PYQs on Programming in C in Programming and Data Structures, or browse all GATE CSE PYQs.

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Programming in C in GATE CSE

Programming in C has 74 GATE CSE PYQs across 25 papers from 2011 to 2026. 20 of them are 1-mark MCQs like this one, and GATE CSE 2026 Set 2 has 3.

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Independent practice explanation verified by the GateAI team. GATE is conducted by the IITs; question text follows the official paper.