Reference Counting
Unlike programs written in Python, C extensions have to manipulate the reference count of Python objects. This is done using the following macros:
| Macro | Description |
|---|---|
| Py_INCREF(obj ) | Increments the reference count of obj , which must be non-NULL |
| Py_DECREF(obj ) | Decrements the reference count of obj , which must be non-NULL |
| Py_XINCREF(obj ) | Increments the reference count of obj , which may be NULL |
| Py_XDECREF(obj ) | Decrements the reference count of obj , which may be NULL |
Manipulating the reference count of Python objects in C is a delicate topic, and readers are strongly advised to consult the “Extending and Embedding the Python Interpreter” document available at http://www.python.org/doc/ext before proceeding any further. With ...
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