What does new and delete do?
PICTURE THIS: ARRAY IN MEMORY
Index starts at 0. Scan once for max — O(n).
Simple meaning
New allocates on the heap and calls constructors.
WHY — Pointers instead of guessing?
Why interviewers care about Pointers:
who only read docs from people who shipped.
and tied to C++ work.
Name the idea, why it exists, then one short example.
End with when you use it and one common pitfall.
STEPS — What happens step by step?
Before you speak the answer, walk the interviewer through these steps:
- 1New allocates on the
heap and calls constructors.
- 2Why it exists
Delete calls destructors and frees.
- 3Array new must match
array delete.
- 4I prefer smart pointers
so I do not forget delete.
- 5Common mistake
What juniors usually get wrong.
- 6Close
When you pick this over the alternative.
EXAMPLE — See it in action
Here's a short line you can speak, broken into clear beats:
Note: Adapt this scaffold to your own project — keep it under 60–90 seconds.
Key takeaway
New allocates on the heap and calls constructors. Delete calls destructors and frees.