Object scope

BlitzMax Forums/BlitzMax Programming/Object scope

Pengwin

(Posted 2009) [#1]

Sorry if this has been asked before, but I can't seem to find a definite answer.

I am working on a game that creates objects within objects, within objects, etc.
However, although I know of the way the garbage collection works, I was wondering if someone could confirm that my thoughts on this are correct.
With the following sample code:

Type TObject1
  Field a
  Method b()
End Type

Type TObject2
  Field c
  Method New()
    Local o:TObject1=New TObject1
  End Method
  
  Method DoStuff()
    'Do something here
  End Method
End Type

Type TObject3
  Method DoSomething()
    Local o2:TObject2=New TObject2
    o2.DoStuff()
  End Method
End Type

Local o3:TObject3=New TObject3
While Not AppTerminate()
  o3.DoSomething()
Wend

Whenever o3.DoSomething is called, a new instance of TObject2 is created, and therefore a new instance of TObject1. Am I right in assuming that the garbage collection will clean up the other instances and therefore not cause a memory leak?

plash

(Posted 2009) [#2]

Am I right in assuming that the garbage collection will clean up the other instances and therefore not cause a memory leak?

Yes.

As soon as any object has no more references (i.e. removed from all TLists, TMaps, no variables are set to it, etc.) it will be removed the next GC cycle.

EDIT: In your case, o2 would be no-ref'd once DoSomething returns, thus deleting o2 (and thus o1).

Pengwin

(Posted 2009) [#3]

Thanks, I was hoping I had got it right.