Circular references in C#

Question

Hi friends, I want to know that what are the circular references? Explain how garbage collection deals with circular reference?

Vulpes · Answer

Although circular references are a problem in systems such as COM which use 'reference counting' to decide when an object's memory can be reclaimed, they're not a problem in systems which use a 'tracing garbage collector' such as .NET. See: http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/0t81zye4(VS.71).aspx http://stackoverflow.com/questions/400706/circular-references-cause-memory-leak

Satyapriya Nayak · Answer

Hi Amit, A circular reference is a series of references when a formula refers back to its own cell, either directly or indirectly and the last object references the first, resulting in a closed loop. Also it is a run-around where in two resources are interdependent on each other. The methods to deal with circular references are: • Weighted reference counting • Indirect reference counting There are some ways to handle problem of detecting and collecting circular references with the help of garbage collection. • The system may explicitly forbid reference cycles. • Systems ignore cycles if it have small amount of cyclic garbage. • You can also periodically use a tracing garbage collector cycles Refer http://www.dotnetfunda.com/interview/exam3632-what-are-circular-references-explain-how-garbage-collection-deals-with-cir.aspx Thanks