Reference counting is a programming technique that manages memory by tracking the number and name of objects being used. It frees up space when objects are no longer needed, but requires constant monitoring, which can increase CPU usage.
Reference counting is a computer programming technique used to simplify memory management by letting the computer know instantly when it is “safe” to release a particular value or block of values from memory. When programming, economy is key, so that programs can run on the widest possible range of computer hardware. Random Access Memory (RAM) is an important but limited resource for a computer. Keeping program data stored in RAM is one of the fastest ways to improve a program’s response time, but consuming too much system RAM makes the program a resource hog, an undesirable trait from an end-user perspective. Reference counting acts to balance this by keeping the data in RAM for as long as the program needs.
The reference counting technique works by keeping track of the number and name of objects that the program is using. Think of computer memory as a child’s room full of toys, and hard drive storage space as a toy chest in the room. Reference counting keeps track of the specific “toys” (objects) that the program (child) is playing with at any one time; in other words, the number of objects that are currently on the “floor”. As soon as the program stops playing with a specific object, the reference count takes note of it and sends the object back to memory on the hard drive, rather than allowing it to continue consuming RAM space.
When it comes to benefits, the main benefit of referral counting comes from immediacy. The instant the program finishes with an object, it puts it away, freeing up space for other objects in the program and for other programs on the computer. From an end user perspective, this is a very clean approach; the program never takes up more memory than it needs at any given time.
The disadvantage of this technique is economy. For reference counting to work effectively, it must use a perpetual monitoring device to manage the number of objects being used at any one time. This consumes a small portion of memory and CPU capacity, increasing processor overhead from the program. The result is that the decision to use reference counting becomes a balancing act, determining whether the programmer wants to allocate additional stress to the CPU or RAM.
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