python / python/cpython

`sys._clear_internal_caches()` no longer clears the type cache

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Description

Documentation

Doc/library/sys.rst says sys._clear_type_cache() clears the internal type cache, and that sys._clear_internal_caches() clears all internal performance-related caches. Neither does any more. Both reach it only through PyType_ClearCache(), which is now just return NEXT_VERSION_TAG(interp) - 1;.

import sys, _testinternalcapi

class C:
    x = 'v'

C.x                                        # populate the per-type lookup cache
print("cached:                          ", _testinternalcapi.type_cache_lookup(C, 'x'))
sys._clear_type_cache()
print("after sys._clear_type_cache:     ", _testinternalcapi.type_cache_lookup(C, 'x'))
sys._clear_internal_caches()
print("after sys._clear_internal_caches:", _testinternalcapi.type_cache_lookup(C, 'x'))
cached:                           (1, 'v', 131161)
after sys._clear_type_cache:      (1, 'v', 131161)
after sys._clear_internal_caches: (1, 'v', 131161)

The C API side is already documented. Doc/c-api/type.rst says the function is now a no-op, and GH-150160 added a matching porting note. The Python wrappers look like the spot that was missed.

Linked PRs
  • gh-155378
  • gh-155391

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Research direction

Start with the Python wrappers for sys._clear_type_cache() and sys._clear_internal_caches(), then compare their behavior with Doc/library/sys.rst and the no-op description in Doc/c-api/type.rst. Check the existing tests around these functions and the porting note from GH-150160; done means the wrappers, documentation, and tests consistently reflect the current behavior.

Written by the indexing model from the issue text.

Assessment

Tech stack
c, python
Domain
backend
Issue type
Bug
Difficulty
2/5
Estimated time
1-3 hours
Activity status
Stale
Clarity
Clearly specified
Newbie friendliness
35/100

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