Noob needs to know, What's a memory leak?

:confused::confused::confused::confused::confused: :confused:
Any other definitions would be great also.

Loosely defined, it is the constant loss of app memory without that memory being regained "over time".

Example... the OS, apps, and themes (among other things) use app memory to work. However, when you close an app, some of the memory used to run that app should be regained. In some cases, people will notice their app memory declining rapidly over a number of hours, or in the course of a day. This shouldn't happen.

I'm sure someone with the correct terminology will come in here and describe it in better terms, but this is basically what people would call a "memory leak". Just as it sounds... the phone will "leak" app memory when it shouldn't be (as in when the phone is not in use and all apps are closed/not being run).

Here is some info to help understand

Professor BM's Blackberry Tips and Tricks....: Search results for memory leak

Posted from my CrackBerry at wapforums.crackberry.com

When you feel something wet in the same pocket as your storm is in, and can't remember how it happened.

Or what the other guys said.:D

Term memory leak often used loosely / incorrectly.

Read this 4 great info on issue of application memory (options folder > memory > application memory free space) & best practices regarding:

How 2: App Memory

That is a good answer Morf, to the OP here another definition.


Memory leak by Wikipedia:
"A memory leak is a particular type of unintentional memory consumption by a computer program where the program fails to release memory when no longer needed. This condition is normally the result of a bug in a program that prevents it from freeing up memory that it no longer needs. Memory is allocated to a program, and that program subsequently loses the ability to access it due to program logic flaws.

A memory leak has symptoms similar to a number of other problems (see below) and generally can only be diagnosed by a programmer with access to the program source code; however, many people refer to any unwanted increase in memory usage as a memory leak, even if this is not strictly accurate."

Some apps such as Viigo and weatherbug are memory hogs, since in order for them to functions properly they have to be updated regularly. Technically they are not causing memory leaks, it is just they consume more memory as you use them in the day.

Hope this helps.

Originally Posted by Ronindan

That is a good answer Morf, to the OP here another definition.


Memory leak by Wikipedia:
"A memory leak is a particular type of unintentional memory consumption by a computer program where the program fails to release memory when no longer needed. This condition is normally the result of a bug in a program that prevents it from freeing up memory that it no longer needs. Memory is allocated to a program, and that program subsequently loses the ability to access it due to program logic flaws.

A memory leak has symptoms similar to a number of other problems (see below) and generally can only be diagnosed by a programmer with access to the program source code; however, many people refer to any unwanted increase in memory usage as a memory leak, even if this is not strictly accurate."

Some apps such as Viigo and weatherbug are memory hogs, since in order for them to functions properly they have to be updated regularly. Technically they are not causing memory leaks, it is just they consume more memory as you use them in the day.

Hope this helps.

See? And I knew someone would come along and help us out with the textbook definition (I always forget about using Wiki)! Thank you so much! :)