What are the best practices for using object references in programming?

What are the best practices for using object references in programming?

When using object references, it's important to ensure proper memory management, avoid circular references, and use weak references when necessary.

Can you explain what circular references are?

Circular references occur when two or more objects reference each other, which can lead to memory leaks if not handled properly.

How can I avoid memory leaks with object references?

To avoid memory leaks, make sure to nullify references when they are no longer needed and use tools like weak references.

What are weak references and when should I use them?

Weak references allow the garbage collector to reclaim memory if there are no strong references to an object, useful for caches.