How does Python's garbage collection work?

How does Python's garbage collection work?

Python uses automatic garbage collection to manage memory. It primarily uses reference counting and a cyclic garbage collector.

What is reference counting in Python?

Reference counting is a technique where each object keeps track of how many references point to it. When the count drops to zero, the memory is freed.

Can you explain how the cyclic garbage collector works?

The cyclic garbage collector identifies and collects objects that reference each other but are not reachable from the program, preventing memory leaks.

How can I manually trigger garbage collection in Python?

You can manually trigger garbage collection using the gc module. Call gc.collect() to force a collection.