×

Fast lifetime analysis of objects in a garbage-collected system

  • US 20030191783A1
  • Filed: 04/03/2002
  • Published: 10/09/2003
  • Est. Priority Date: 04/03/2002
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
Patent Images

1. A method for measuring the lifetime of objects in a garbage-collected system, the objects organized in a graph structure, the method including:

  • maintaining a reference count for each of the objects, said reference count indicating the number of incoming pointers to each object;

    updating said reference counts each time said graph structure is altered;

    recording a timestamp for an object each time said reference count for said object changes;

    indicating an object is dead when its reference count goes to zero;

    reviewing in reverse chronological order said timestamps for each of said objects which are cyclic garbage, and for each timestamp found;

    indicating that the object corresponding to said timestamp is dead;

    indicating that any object reachable from said object corresponding to said timestamp is dead; and

    removing any objects that have been indicated as dead from said objects which are cyclic garbage.

View all claims
  • 2 Assignments
Timeline View
Assignment View
    ×
    ×