What are memory leaks and how does garbage collection work?

What are memory leaks and how does garbage collection work?

Memory leaks occur when a program allocates memory but fails to release it back to the system. Garbage collection is a process that automatically frees up memory by identifying and disposing of objects that are no longer in use.

Can you explain how garbage collection identifies unused objects?

Garbage collection typically uses algorithms like reference counting or tracing to identify objects that are no longer reachable from the root references, marking them for cleanup.

What are the common causes of memory leaks?

Common causes include forgetting to release memory, circular references, and retaining references to objects that are no longer needed.

How can I prevent memory leaks in my code?

You can prevent memory leaks by using tools to analyze memory usage, following best practices for resource management, and ensuring proper cleanup of objects.

Are there any programming languages that handle garbage collection better than others?

Languages like Java and C# have robust garbage collection mechanisms, while C and C++ require manual memory management, making them more prone to leaks.