memory leaks

Generated on 9/30/2024

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To address memory leaks, the session "Analyze heap memory" from WWDC 2024 provides a comprehensive overview of how to identify and resolve them. Here are some key points discussed:

  1. Understanding Leaks: Memory leaks occur when memory is no longer reachable and cannot be used again. This typically happens when the last pointer to a memory allocation is lost, often due to reference cycles.

  2. Tools and Techniques: The session discusses using Xcode's memory graph debugger and Instruments to identify leaks. The "show only leaked allocations" filter can help focus on problematic areas.

  3. Common Causes: Leaks can be caused by reference cycles, where objects reference each other, preventing deallocation. Changing ownership qualifiers from strong to weak or unowned can help resolve these cycles.

  4. Conservative References: Tools may miss real leaks due to conservative reference scanning, which can mistake random bytes for pointers.

  5. Autorelease Pools: In Swift, autorelease pools can cause temporary memory growth, especially when interfacing with Objective-C APIs.

For more detailed information, you can refer to the session chapter on Reachability and ensuring memory is deallocated appropriately (20:15) and the Leaks FAQ (24:13).

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Analyze heap memory

Analyze heap memory

Dive into the basis for your app’s dynamic memory: the heap! Explore how to use Instruments and Xcode to measure, analyze, and fix common heap issues. We’ll also cover some techniques and best practices for diagnosing transient growth, persistent growth, and leaks in your app.