Re: Value reference counting

[Vladimir Prus <vladimir at codesourcery dot com>]

On Monday 20 July 2009 Daniel Jacobowitz wrote:

> On Mon, Jul 20, 2009 at 10:13:35AM +0400, Vladimir Prus wrote:
> > > +  /* The number of references to this value.  This initially includes
> > > +     one reference from the value chain; if release_value is called,
> > > +     it converts that into a normal reference.  */
> > > +  int reference_count;
> > >  };
> > 
> > I do not fully understand this comment, specifically the "it converts 
> > that into a normal reference". What is "it", what is "that" and what
> > is "normal reference" and where the convention happens? From your email,
> > I gather it's intentional that release_value does not have to be changed,
> > but I don't understand anything else :-( I am sure it's just me, but
> > a better comment would be good.
> 
> "It" is release_value, and "that" is the one reference.  Is this
> clearer?
> 
>   /* The number of references to this value.  When a value is created,
>      the value chain holds a reference, so REFERENCE_COUNT is 1.  If
>      release_value is called, this value is removed from the chain but
>      the caller of release_value now has a reference to this value.
>      The caller must arrange for a call to value_free later.  */

Thank you, this is now crystal clear!

- Volodya