KITFORMA · EDITORIAL GUIDE
Why are mutually linked shared_ptr objects never destroyed?
KitForma editorial guide. A strong-reference cycle can keep every count above zero after external owners disappear. Reference counting is not a cycle collector.
Step-by-step guidance
A strong-reference cycle can keep every count above zero after external owners disappear. Reference counting is not a cycle collector.
Draw the real ownership graph and keep strong references where lifetime control belongs. Use weak_ptr for an observational back-link, acquiring temporary access through lock and handling expiration. Replacing every edge with weak ownership can instead make necessary objects disappear too early.
Drop all external owners in a fixture and verify expected destruction. Break every remaining strong cycle, not just one convenient link. Callbacks capturing shared ownership can create less-visible cycles too. A raw pointer avoids a count but provides no automatic expiration check.
Sources and verification
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