python / python/cpython

[3.14] change in behaviour in gc.get_referrers(some_local)

Open
#125,603 2 comments 0 reactions 1 assignee View on GitHub

@markshannon is already working on this.

Since Oct 16, 2024.

3.14 triaged type-bug
Dominant language
Python
Stars
77.2k
Forks
35.9k
PR merge metrics
PR metrics pending

Description

Bug report

Bug description:
import gc

async def demo():
    class A:
        pass

    a = A()
    print(gc.get_referrers(a))


try:
    demo().send(None)
except StopIteration as e:
    print(f"{e.value=}")

on 3.11-3.13 this prints:

[]
e.value=None

on 3.14 this prints:

[<coroutine object demo at 0x7d00fff85000>]
e.value=None

this makes gc.get_referrers less useful in detecting cyclic garbage where I'd like to be able to make the assertion that the current frame is the only referrer to an Exception.

the alternative is to hold a weak reference to the object, delete the object and see if the weak reference is dead with the gc disabled. But then I don't get any debug information in my failing test of why the object is still alive.

CPython versions tested on:

3.14, CPython main branch

Operating systems tested on:

Linux

note: @markshannon asked me to open this issue

Linked PRs
  • gh-125640

Contributor guide

Open the contributing guide

First steps

  1. Read the whole issue, then the project's contributing guide.
  2. Comment on the issue to say you are picking it up — it saves two people doing the same work.
  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Assessment

This issue has not been assessed yet.

Get new issues in your inbox

A short digest of beginner-friendly GitHub issues.