🧠 Python Memory Management
Master garbage collection, GIL, memory profiling, and optimization techniques
Reference counting, garbage collection, GIL, memory profiling, and optimization
Python uses reference counting as primary GC with a cyclic garbage collector for circular references.
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python
Python uses automatic memory management with reference counting and a cyclic garbage collector. Understanding this helps write efficient code and avoid memory leaks.
Python
__slots__ prevents creation of __dict__ for each instance, significantly reducing memory usage when you have many instances of a class.
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Python
Weak references allow you to reference an object without preventing it from being garbage collected. They're useful for caches and observer patterns.
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Python
Memory Management Interview Tips
- ✓ Understand reference counting vs cyclic garbage collection
- ✓ Know when GIL is released (I/O operations, C extensions)
- ✓ Be familiar with memory profiling tools (tracemalloc, memory_profiler)
- ✓ Understand __slots__ and when to use them
- ✓ Know the difference between shallow and deep copy
- ✓ Understand weak references and their use cases
- ✓ Be prepared to discuss memory leaks and how to prevent them
- ✓ Know multiprocessing vs threading for CPU/IO-bound tasks