refcount differences in 2.5

[Gabriel Genellina]

Hi

With Python 2.5, there is a change on the reference count of objects
compared with previous versions (as reported by sys.getrefcount ).

All Python versions from 2.1 thru 2.4 gave these same results:

Python 2.1.3 (#35, Apr 8 2002, 17:47:50) [MSC 32 bit (Intel)] on win32
Type "copyright" , "credits" or "license" for more information.

>>import sys
sys.getrefcou nt(11111111)

2

>>sys.getrefcou nt(11111111+1)

1

>>x=22222222
sys.getrefcou nt(x)

2

>>sys.getrefcou nt(x+1)

1

>>sys.getrefcou nt("A unique *str-ing*")

2

>>sys.getrefcou nt("A unique *str-ing*".upper())

1

>>sys.getrefcou nt(3+2j)

1

>>class W: pass

....

>>x=W()
sys.getrefcou nt(x)

2

>>sys.getrefcou nt(W())

1

>>>

But Python 2.5 (2.5.1 not tested yet) gives different results:
Python 2.5 (r25:51908, Sep 19 2006, 09:52:17) [MSC v.1310 32 bit (Intel)]
on win
32

>>import sys
sys.getrefcou nt(11111111)

3

>>sys.getrefcou nt(11111111+1)

2

>>x=22222222
sys.getrefcou nt(x)

2

>>sys.getrefcou nt(x+1)

1

>>sys.getrefcou nt("A unique *str-ing*")

3

>>sys.getrefcou nt("A unique *str-ing*".upper())

1

>>sys.getrefcou nt(3+2j)

2

>>class W: pass

....

>>x=W()
sys.getrefcou nt(x)

2

>>sys.getrefcou nt(W())

1

>>>

In particular, I wonder why getrefcount(123 41234) returns 3 instead of 2-
who is holding the extra reference?

My main two concerns are:
- is there a reference leak somewhere?
- it's a bit harder to debug my own references since I don't know
beforehand the value I should expect from sys.getrefcount ()

--
Gabriel Genellina