heap memory release policy in Arduino - arduino

Question

#include <Arduino.h>
#include "include/MainComponent.h"
/*
 Turns on an LED on for one second, then off for one second, repeatedly.
*/
MainComponent* mainComponent;
void setup()
{
   mainComponent = new MainComponent();
   mainComponent->beginComponent();
}
void loop()
{
   mainComponent->runComponent();
}
is there any callback to release memory in Arduino ?(e.g to call delete mainComponent)
or this will happen automatically as the loop ends?
what is the strategy to ensure freeing the memory allocated in that code snippet?
SCENARIO :"I wanted to access the object in both methods , so the  object is declared in the global scope then instantiated at setup."
What happen when loop() terminated ? will  mainComponent still remain in the memory?
If it was in OS NO , process will terminated then resources will be deallocated.
So in Arduino how can I achieve above SCENARIO , by ensuring memory will be deallocated when the controller is switched off ?

Answer 1

What is confusing you is that the main() function is hidden by the basic Arduino IDE. Your programs have a main() function just like on any other platform, and have a lifecycle same as when run on a computer with OS. If you look under arduino___\hardware\cores\aduino, you will find a file main.cpp, which is included into your binaries:
int main(void)
{
init();
//...
setup();
for (;;) {
loop();
if (serialEventRun) serialEventRun();
}
return 0;
}
Considering this file you will now see, that while you exit the loop(), it is continuously called. Your program never exits. In general, your best pattern is to new objects once and never delete, like you have done here. If you are new'ing and delete'ing objects repeatedly on a microcontroller, you are not thinking about lifecycles and resources wisely.
So
"is the new'd object deleted at return from loop()?" No, the program is still running and it stays on the heap.
"What happens at power off? Is there a way to clean up?" The moment the supply voltage drops too low, the microcontroller will stop executing instructions. Power supervisor circuitry prevents the controller from doing anything erratic as the voltage drops (should prevent) When the voltage is conpletely drained, all the RAM is lost. Without adding circuitry, you have no way to execute any clean up at power off.
"Do I need to clean up?" No, at power up, everything is reset to a known state. Operation cannot be affected by anything left behind in RAM (presumes you initialize all your variables).