How do I use weak references in Python?

How do I use weak references in Python?

Weak references allow you to reference an object without preventing it from being garbage collected. You can use the weakref module.

Can you show me a simple example?

Sure! Here's a basic example:

import weakref

class MyClass:
    def __init__(self, name):
        self.name = name

obj = MyClass('example')
weak_obj = weakref.ref(obj)

print(weak_obj())  # Outputs: <__main__.MyClass object at 0x...>

del obj
print(weak_obj())  # Outputs: None

What happens when the original object is deleted?

When the original object is deleted, the weak reference no longer points to it, and calling the weak reference returns None.

Are there any use cases for weak references?

Yes, weak references are useful in caching, preventing circular references, and managing memory in large applications.