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Why is the first C++ (m)allocation always 72 KB?

📊 C++ Allocation Insights: The first memory allocation in C++ is always 72 KB due to the emergency pool, a reserve of memory set aside to handle unexpected allocations, providing a safety net for programs to prevent crashes and ensure smooth execution. This allocation size is a deliberate design choice, offering a balance between memory usage and program stability.

11:05 am, March 1, 2026

guid

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47205129

source_url

https://joelsiks.com/posts/cpp-emergency-pool-72kb-allocation/

author_name

joelsiks

id: 317
uid: yuWi0
insdate: 2026-03-01 11:05:03
title: Why is the first C++ (m)allocation always 72 KB?
additional: 📊 C++ Allocation Insights: The first memory allocation in C++ is always 72 KB due to the emergency pool, a reserve of memory set aside to handle unexpected allocations, providing a safety net for programs to prevent crashes and ensure smooth execution. This allocation size is a deliberate design choice, offering a balance between memory usage and program stability.
category: Hacker News
md5:
guid: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=47205129
source_url: https://joelsiks.com/posts/cpp-emergency-pool-72kb-allocation/
updated:
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author_name: joelsiks
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