What are memory leaks in Python and how can I prevent them?

What are memory leaks in Python and how can I prevent them?

Memory leaks in Python occur when objects are no longer needed but are not released from memory, leading to increased memory usage.

What causes memory leaks in Python?

Common causes include circular references, holding references in global variables, and using large data structures without proper cleanup.

How can I detect memory leaks in my Python application?

You can use tools like objgraph, tracemalloc, or memory profilers to identify and analyze memory usage in your application.

Can you give me an example of a memory leak in Python?

Sure! A simple example is creating a list that keeps growing without removing old references, like appending to a global list.