midPython
Garbage Collection
Updated May 4, 2026
Short answer
Automatic memory management.
Deep explanation
Primarily uses reference counting. If count is zero, memory is freed. A cyclic collector handles reference cycles.
Real-world example
Cleaning up large temporary objects in a long-running data pipeline.
Common mistakes
- Creating circular references (A points to B, B points to A) which can delay cleanup.
Follow-up questions
- What is the 'gc' module?