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Everything about Weak reference

In programming, a reference which does not protect its object from garbage collection

In computer programming, a weak reference is a reference that does not protect the referenced object from collection by a garbage collector, unlike a strong reference. An object referenced only by weak references – meaning "every chain of references that reaches the object includes at least one weak reference as a link" – is considered weakly reachable, and can be treated as unreachable and so may be collected at any time. Some garbage-collected languages feature or support various levels of weak references, such as C#, Lua, Java, Lisp, OCaml, MATLAB, Perl, Python, Racket, and PHP since the version 7.4. Wikipedia →

🧭 Start here: a 6-step reading path

  1. Read the overview: Weak referenceA 5-minute orientation
  2. Skim a recent paper: A Reference Frame Rematching Method for Enhancing Large-Signal Stability of Grid-Following Inverter Under Weak GridInfluential work since 2022
  3. Pick up a classic book: The Art of WarThe most-reprinted book on the subject
  4. Read the landmark paper: MRP-WSCI: Multiple reference point based weak and strong composite indicatorsCited 48 times
  5. Go sideways: Destructor (computer programming)A closely related topic
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📖 Definitions

Noun A reference that does not protect the referenced object from collection by a garbage collector.

🗂️ The subject at a glance

  1. Uses
  2. Garbage collection
  3. Variations
  4. Examples

🏆 Landmark papers (most cited)

🆕 Influential since 2022

📚 Books worth reading

Ranked by number of editions on Open Library, a rough measure of how lasting a book is.

🔗 Related topics