What are the parameters for Ruby's garbage collector?

What are the parameters for Ruby's garbage collector?

Ruby's garbage collector has several parameters that can be adjusted, such as RUBY_GC_HEAP_GROWTH_MAX_SLOTS, RUBY_GC_HEAP_GROWTH_MIN_SLOTS, and RUBY_GC_HEAP_FREE_SLOTS. These control how the heap grows and shrinks.

Can you explain what each of these parameters does?

Sure! RUBY_GC_HEAP_GROWTH_MAX_SLOTS limits the maximum number of slots the heap can grow by, while RUBY_GC_HEAP_GROWTH_MIN_SLOTS sets the minimum growth. RUBY_GC_HEAP_FREE_SLOTS determines how many free slots should be maintained in the heap.

How can I change these parameters in my Ruby application?

You can change these parameters by setting them as environment variables before running your Ruby application, like this: export RUBY_GC_HEAP_GROWTH_MAX_SLOTS=1000.

Are there any performance implications of adjusting these parameters?

Yes, adjusting these parameters can impact performance. Increasing the heap size may reduce the frequency of garbage collection, but it can also lead to higher memory usage.