What are the differences between the free() and delete() operators in C++?

Main differences between free() and delete() operators in C++:

• free() is a function from the C language that releases memory allocated with malloc(), calloc(), or realloc(). It simply frees the memory block without calling object destructors.

• delete is a C++ operator that frees memory allocated with new and calls the destructor of the object, which is important for proper resource cleanup.

Example:

class MyClass {
public:
    ~MyClass() { std::cout << "Destructor called" << std::endl; }
};

// Correct:
MyClass* obj = new MyClass();
delete obj; // calls destructor and frees memory

// Incorrect:
MyClass* obj2 = (MyClass*)malloc(sizeof(MyClass));
free(obj2); // destructor will not be called, potential resource leaks

Using free() for C++ objects is dangerous because destructors are not called, which can lead to resource leaks. Similarly, delete should not be used on memory allocated with malloc(). Always match the allocation and deallocation methods.