Custom Memory Heap Crash Debugging

About

This skill provides a comprehensive framework for diagnosing and resolving elusive memory-related crashes, particularly those that manifest only in RELEASE builds or during program shutdown. It guides developers through systematic investigation phases, helping identify root causes like use-after-free errors in custom heaps, static initialization order issues, and standard library internal allocation conflicts. By offering proven strategies such as forcing early library initialization and extending heap lifetimes, the skill empowers users to stabilize C++ applications and handle complex memory lifecycle challenges with confidence.

Key Features

• Strategies for resolving DEBUG vs RELEASE build discrepancies
• Techniques for identifying static initialization and destruction order conflicts
• Systematic three-phase investigation approach for memory lifecycle analysis
• 16 GitHub stars
• Guidance on handling standard library internal allocations in custom heaps
• Detailed debugging workflows using GDB and Valgrind tools

Use Cases

• Investigating C++ segmentation faults that occur only in production release builds
• Resolving use-after-free errors during the static destruction phase of program shutdown
• Debugging standard library crashes involving locale or iostream and custom allocators