python / python/cpython

Deprecate (and eventually remove) `tp_is_gc`

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interpreter-core type-feature
Dominant language
Python
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Description

Feature or enhancement

Proposal:

The existence of tp_is_gc slows down and complicates allocation, deallocation and garbage collection.

But there is no need for it, as statically allocated objects can be marked as immortal as will be ignored by the GC.
I doubt there is much third-party code that uses it, if any.

We should deprecate it, and then remove it.

Has this already been discussed elsewhere?

This is a minor feature, which does not need previous discussion elsewhere

Links to previous discussion of this feature:

No response

Contributor guide

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First steps

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  3. Fork the repository and make your change on a branch.
  4. Open a pull request that references the issue number.

Research direction

Start by locating the definition and all uses of tp_is_gc in CPython, then inspect how statically allocated objects are marked immortal and handled by the garbage collector. Determine the deprecation and eventual removal scope, including compatibility impact for third-party extensions. Done means the proposed replacement is validated and the deprecation or removal is implemented consistently.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
python
Domain
backend
Issue type
Feature
Difficulty
5/5
Estimated time
Over a week
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Needs clarification
Newbie friendliness
25/100

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