What are some advanced techniques for garbage collection in Python?

What are some advanced techniques for garbage collection in Python?

In Python, advanced garbage collection techniques include using weak references, customizing the garbage collector, and using the gc module to manage memory more effectively.

Can you explain how weak references work?

Weak references allow you to reference an object without preventing it from being garbage collected. This is useful for caching and avoiding memory leaks.

How can I customize the garbage collector?

You can customize the garbage collector by adjusting its thresholds using gc.set_stats() and enabling or disabling it with gc.enable() or gc.disable().

What are the common pitfalls to avoid with garbage collection?

Common pitfalls include creating reference cycles, not using weak references when necessary, and failing to manually trigger garbage collection when needed.