From: Harry Ohlsen <harryo@...>
Date: 2004-02-06T14:28:47+09:00
Subject: Re: Is there any way to mark an object as "always in use" (specifically, in a C extension)?

nobu.nokada@softhome.net wrote:
>>There's a single hash table, that's not registered as a Ruby
>>object.  However, the data stored in the table are all VALUE
>>objects obtained from rb_str_new2().
> 
> 
> You mean struct st_table?

Sorry, I should have been more specific.  The hash table is just some C code I wrote to implement one. It's only he data held in it that are Ruby objects (String).  It's an interesting point, though.  Maybe I could save myself some code by changing the C to use a Ruby hash.

I've only learned enough about C extensions to get done what I needed.  I plan to do some serious study when I get a chance.  I must say, it was pretty easy to get started ... as I would expect from anything related to Ruby, of course!

> If so, you may register a Hash
> instance to GC and use its tbl member directly.

That definitely sounds simpler.

> Current ruby's GC is weak for large amounts of live objects.

I have a feeling this is why REXML had a problem loading the document, because it probably needs to create quite a few other (sub-)objects for each XML tag, hence it would *really* be working hard!

> Generational GC may help you, but it isn't still incorporated.

I've seen mention of GGC a number of times on the list.  Is there a plan to add it to Ruby 1.X.Y, or will we have to wait until version 2?

Cheers,

Harry O.