[Qemu-devel] Re: [PATCH 01/29] Introduce QObject

[Paolo Bonzini <bonzini@gnu.org>]

> + *  - New reference: means that the caller is now the owner of a reference,
> + *    for example, if you call a function that returns a 'new reference' you
> + *    must call QDECREF() when you are done
> + *
> + *  - Borrowing a reference: nothing needs to be done, you are not the
> + *    owner of the reference
> + *
> + *  - Stealing a reference: when you pass a reference to a function that
> + *    'steals a reference' this function assumes that it now owns that
> + *    reference

I think the usual terms used here would be like

    - Returning references: A function that returns an object may
    return it as either a weak or a strong reference.  If the reference
    is strong, you are responsible for calling QDECREF() on the reference
    when you are done.

    If the reference is weak, the owner of the reference may free it at
    any time in the future.  Before storing the reference anywhere, you
    should call QINCREF() to make the reference strong.

    - Transferring ownership: when you transfer ownership of a reference
    by calling a function, you are no longer responsible for calling
    QDECREF() when the reference is no longer needed.  In other words,
    when the function returns you must behave as if the reference to the
    passed object
    was weak.

I'll post examples of using this terminology in the review of QDict.

Paolo