---
title: "moveInitializeMemory(as:from:count:)"
framework: swift
role: symbol
role_heading: Instance Method
path: "swift/unsafemutablerawpointer/moveinitializememory(as:from:count:)"
---

# moveInitializeMemory(as:from:count:)

Initializes the memory referenced by this pointer with the values starting at the given pointer, binds the memory to the values’ type, deinitializes the source memory, and returns a typed pointer to the newly initialized memory.

## Declaration

```swift
@discardableResult func moveInitializeMemory<T>(as type: T.Type, from source: UnsafeMutablePointer<T>, count: Int) -> UnsafeMutablePointer<T> where T : ~Copyable
```

## Parameters

- `type`: The type to bind this memory to.
- `source`: A pointer to the values to copy. The memory in the region source..<(source + count) must be initialized to type T.
- `count`: The number of copies of value to copy into memory. count must not be negative.

## Return Value

Return Value A typed pointer to the memory referenced by this raw pointer.

## Discussion

Discussion The memory referenced by this pointer must be uninitialized or initialized to a trivial type, and must be properly aligned for accessing T. The memory in the region source..<(source + count) may overlap with the destination region. The moveInitializeMemory(as:from:count:) method automatically performs a forward or backward copy of all instances from the source region to their destination. After calling this method on a raw pointer p, the region starting at p and continuing up to p + count * MemoryLayout<T>.stride is bound to type T and initialized. If T is a nontrivial type, you must eventually deinitialize or move from the values in this region to avoid leaks. Any memory in the region source..<(source + count) that does not overlap with the destination region is returned to an uninitialized state.