The stack and heap are two types of memory used by computer programs, and they serve different purposes in the management of data during the execution of a program.

Stack:

Purpose: The stack is used for storing local variables and managing function calls in a program. It follows a Last In, First Out (LIFO) structure, meaning that the last item pushed onto the stack is the first one to be popped off.
Memory Management: The stack memory is managed by the compiler or the programming language runtime. Each function call creates a new stack frame, which includes local variables and other information. When a function completes, its stack frame is removed, and control returns to the calling function.
Size: The stack memory is typically limited in size, and the size is set at the program’s startup.
Heap:

Purpose: The heap is used for dynamic memory allocation, where data can be allocated and deallocated at runtime. It is a more flexible and larger pool of memory compared to the stack.
Memory Management: The heap memory needs to be managed explicitly by the programmer. Memory allocation and deallocation are performed using functions like malloc and free in languages like C or new and delete in C++.
Size: The heap is generally larger than the stack, and its size may change dynamically during program execution.
Location:

The stack is typically located in the lower part of the computer’s memory, and it grows and shrinks as functions are called and return.
The heap is usually located in the higher part of the memory, and its size can change dynamically as memory is allocated and deallocated.
In summary, the stack is used for managing function calls and local variables with automatic memory management, while the heap provides a dynamic and more extensive memory pool for managing data that needs to persist beyond the lifetime of a single function. The stack and heap play crucial roles in memory management, and understanding their differences is important for writing efficient and reliable programs.