Why is the heap (as in where we put objects) called that?

Question

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What is the origin of the term “heap” for the free store?

Why is the heap called the heap? I mean the bit of memory which we dynamically allocate bits of.

Answer 1

I don't have a citation for this, but I've always believed it derives from "a place to put stuff; a bit like the stack only less organised".

A stack has strict rules about where you add and remove things, but a heap doesn't.