2. Objects and Memory

The Python object model, PyObject and PyVarObject layout, reference counting, the garbage collector, memory allocators, and built-in type implementations.

11 items

Chapter	Title
7	The Python Object Model
8	PyObject and PyVarObject
9	Reference Counting
10	The Garbage Collector
11	Memory Allocators
12	Object Layout and Type Slots
13	Built-in Object Implementations
14	Strings, Bytes, and Unicode
15	Lists, Tuples, and Arrays
16	Dictionaries and Sets
17	Integers, Floats, and Complex Numbers

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

7. The Python Object Model

How every value in Python is a heap-allocated object, and the role of type objects in defining behavior.

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

8. PyObject and PyVarObject

The PyObject and PyVarObject C structs: ob_refcnt, ob_type, and the ob_size extension for variable-length objects.

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

9. Reference Counting

Py_INCREF, Py_DECREF, and the deterministic lifetime rules that drive most memory reclamation in CPython.

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

10. The Garbage Collector

Cycle detection algorithm, generational collection, gc thresholds, and the interaction with reference counting.

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

11. Memory Allocators

The pymalloc small-object allocator, arenas, pools, blocks, and when CPython falls back to system malloc.

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

12. Object Layout and Type Slots

PyTypeObject slot layout, tp_* function pointers, and how type slots encode object behavior for the interpreter.

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

13. Built-in Object Implementations

C-level implementations of None, True, False, NotImplemented, and Ellipsis as statically allocated objects.

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

14. Strings, Bytes, and Unicode

PyUnicodeObject internal encodings, the interning table, bytes vs. bytearray, and the codec infrastructure.

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

15. Lists, Tuples, and Arrays

PyListObject dynamic resizing strategy, PyTupleObject immutability, and the array module's typed buffer.

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

16. Dictionaries and Sets

Compact dict implementation, hash table probing, split-key sharing, and PySetObject collision resolution.

Deep Reads › CPython Internals › 2. Objects and Memory ›

17. Integers, Floats, and Complex Numbers

PyLongObject digit array for arbitrary precision, PyFloatObject IEEE 754 storage, and complex number layout.