swift-code-reviewer-skill 1.2.0 → 1.2.1

package/skills/swift-concurrency/references/memory-management.md

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+# Memory Management
+
+Preventing retain cycles and managing object lifetimes in Swift Concurrency.
+
+## Core Concepts
+
+### Tasks capture like closures
+
+Tasks capture variables and references just like regular closures. Swift doesn't automatically prevent retain cycles in concurrent code.
+
+```swift
+Task {
+    self.doWork() // ⚠️ Strong capture of self
+}
+```
+
+### Why concurrency hides memory issues
+
+- Tasks may live longer than expected
+- Async operations delay execution
+- Harder to track when memory should be released
+- Long-running tasks can hold references indefinitely
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 8.1: Overview of memory management in Swift Concurrency](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+## Retain Cycles
+
+### What is a retain cycle?
+
+Two or more objects hold strong references to each other, preventing deallocation.
+
+```swift
+class A {
+    var b: B?
+}
+
+class B {
+    var a: A?
+}
+
+let a = A()
+let b = B()
+a.b = b
+b.a = a // Retain cycle - neither can be deallocated
+```
+
+### Retain cycles with Tasks
+
+When task captures `self` strongly and `self` owns the task:
+
+```swift
+@MainActor
+final class ImageLoader {
+    var task: Task<Void, Never>?
+    
+    func startPolling() {
+        task = Task {
+            while true {
+                self.pollImages() // ⚠️ Strong capture
+                try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(1))
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+var loader: ImageLoader? = .init()
+loader?.startPolling()
+loader = nil // ⚠️ Loader never deallocated - retain cycle!
+```
+
+**Problem**: Task holds `self`, `self` holds task → neither released.
+
+## Breaking Retain Cycles
+
+### Use weak self
+
+```swift
+func startPolling() {
+    task = Task { [weak self] in
+        while let self = self {
+            self.pollImages()
+            try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(1))
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+var loader: ImageLoader? = .init()
+loader?.startPolling()
+loader = nil // ✅ Loader deallocated, task stops
+```
+
+### Pattern for long-running tasks
+
+```swift
+task = Task { [weak self] in
+    while let self = self {
+        await self.doWork()
+        try? await Task.sleep(for: interval)
+    }
+}
+```
+
+> **Course Deep Dive**: This topic is covered in detail in [Lesson 8.2: Preventing retain cycles when using Tasks](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com?utm_source=github&utm_medium=agent-skill&utm_campaign=lesson-reference)
+
+Loop exits when `self` becomes `nil`.
+
+## One-Way Retention
+
+Task retains `self`, but `self` doesn't retain task. Object stays alive until task completes.
+
+```swift
+@MainActor
+final class ViewModel {
+    func fetchData() {
+        Task {
+            await performRequest()
+            updateUI() // ⚠️ Strong capture
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+var viewModel: ViewModel? = .init()
+viewModel?.fetchData()
+viewModel = nil // ViewModel stays alive until task completes
+```
+
+**Execution order**:
+1. Task starts
+2. `viewModel = nil` (but object not deallocated)
+3. Task completes
+4. ViewModel finally deallocated
+
+### When one-way retention is acceptable
+
+Short-lived tasks that complete quickly:
+
+```swift
+func saveData() {
+    Task {
+        await database.save(self.data) // OK - completes quickly
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### When to use weak self
+
+Long-running or indefinite tasks:
+
+```swift
+func startMonitoring() {
+    Task { [weak self] in
+        for await event in eventStream {
+            self?.handle(event)
+        }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+## Async Sequences and Retention
+
+### Problem: Infinite sequences
+
+```swift
+@MainActor
+final class AppLifecycleViewModel {
+    private(set) var isActive = false
+    private var task: Task<Void, Never>?
+    
+    func startObserving() {
+        task = Task {
+            for await _ in NotificationCenter.default.notifications(
+                named: .didBecomeActive
+            ) {
+                isActive = true // ⚠️ Strong capture, never ends
+            }
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+var viewModel: AppLifecycleViewModel? = .init()
+viewModel?.startObserving()
+viewModel = nil // ⚠️ Never deallocated - sequence continues
+```
+
+**Problem**: Async sequence never finishes, task holds `self` indefinitely.
+
+### Solution 1: Manual cancellation
+
+```swift
+func startObserving() {
+    task = Task {
+        for await _ in NotificationCenter.default.notifications(
+            named: .didBecomeActive
+        ) {
+            isActive = true
+        }
+    }
+}
+
+func stopObserving() {
+    task?.cancel()
+}
+
+// Usage
+viewModel?.startObserving()
+viewModel?.stopObserving() // Must call before release
+viewModel = nil
+```
+
+### Solution 2: Weak self with guard
+
+```swift
+func startObserving() {
+    task = Task { [weak self] in
+        for await _ in NotificationCenter.default.notifications(
+            named: .didBecomeActive
+        ) {
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.isActive = true
+        }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+Task exits when `self` deallocates.
+
+## Isolated deinit (Swift 6.2+)
+
+Clean up actor-isolated state in deinit:
+
+```swift
+@MainActor
+final class ViewModel {
+    private var task: Task<Void, Never>?
+    
+    isolated deinit {
+        task?.cancel()
+    }
+}
+```
+
+**Limitation**: Won't break retain cycles (deinit never called if cycle exists).
+
+**Use for**: Cleanup when object is being deallocated normally.
+
+## Common Patterns
+
+### Short-lived task (strong capture OK)
+
+```swift
+func saveData() {
+    Task {
+        await database.save(self.data)
+        self.updateUI()
+    }
+}
+```
+
+**When safe**: Task completes quickly, acceptable for object to live until done.
+
+### Long-running task (weak self required)
+
+```swift
+func startPolling() {
+    task = Task { [weak self] in
+        while let self = self {
+            await self.fetchUpdates()
+            try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(5))
+        }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Async sequence monitoring (weak self + guard)
+
+```swift
+func startMonitoring() {
+    task = Task { [weak self] in
+        for await event in eventStream {
+            guard let self = self else { return }
+            self.handle(event)
+        }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Cancellable work with cleanup
+
+```swift
+func startWork() {
+    task = Task { [weak self] in
+        defer { self?.cleanup() }
+        
+        while let self = self {
+            await self.doWork()
+            try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(1))
+        }
+    }
+}
+```
+
+## Detection Strategies
+
+### Add deinit logging
+
+```swift
+deinit {
+    print("✅ \(type(of: self)) deallocated")
+}
+```
+
+If deinit never prints → likely retain cycle.
+
+### Memory graph debugger
+
+1. Run app in Xcode
+2. Debug → Debug Memory Graph
+3. Look for cycles in object graph
+
+### Instruments
+
+Use Leaks instrument to detect retain cycles at runtime.
+
+## Decision Tree
+
+```
+Task captures self?
+├─ Task completes quickly?
+│  └─ Strong capture OK
+│
+├─ Long-running or infinite?
+│  ├─ Can use weak self? → Use [weak self]
+│  ├─ Need manual control? → Store task, cancel explicitly
+│  └─ Async sequence? → [weak self] + guard
+│
+└─ Self owns task?
+   ├─ Yes → High risk of retain cycle
+   └─ No → Lower risk, but check lifetime
+```
+
+## Best Practices
+
+1. **Default to weak self** for long-running tasks
+2. **Use guard let self** in async sequences
+3. **Cancel tasks explicitly** when possible
+4. **Add deinit logging** during development
+5. **Test object deallocation** in unit tests
+6. **Use Memory Graph** to verify no cycles
+7. **Document lifetime expectations** in comments
+8. **Prefer cancellation** over weak self when possible
+9. **Avoid nested strong captures** in task closures
+10. **Use isolated deinit** for cleanup (Swift 6.2+)
+
+## Testing for Leaks
+
+### Unit test pattern
+
+```swift
+func testViewModelDeallocates() async {
+    var viewModel: ViewModel? = ViewModel()
+    weak var weakViewModel = viewModel
+    
+    viewModel?.startWork()
+    viewModel = nil
+    
+    // Give tasks time to complete
+    try? await Task.sleep(for: .milliseconds(100))
+    
+    XCTAssertNil(weakViewModel, "ViewModel should be deallocated")
+}
+```
+
+### SwiftUI view test
+
+```swift
+func testViewDeallocates() {
+    var view: MyView? = MyView()
+    weak var weakView = view
+    
+    view = nil
+    
+    XCTAssertNil(weakView)
+}
+```
+
+## Common Mistakes
+
+### ❌ Forgetting weak self in loops
+
+```swift
+Task {
+    while true {
+        self.poll() // Retain cycle
+        try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(1))
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### ❌ Strong capture in async sequences
+
+```swift
+Task {
+    for await item in stream {
+        self.process(item) // May never release
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### ❌ Not canceling stored tasks
+
+```swift
+class Manager {
+    var task: Task<Void, Never>?
+    
+    func start() {
+        task = Task {
+            await self.work() // Retain cycle
+        }
+    }
+    
+    // Missing: deinit { task?.cancel() }
+}
+```
+
+### ❌ Assuming deinit breaks cycles
+
+```swift
+deinit {
+    task?.cancel() // Never called if retain cycle exists
+}
+```
+
+## Examples by Use Case
+
+### Polling service
+
+```swift
+final class PollingService {
+    private var task: Task<Void, Never>?
+    
+    func start() {
+        task = Task { [weak self] in
+            while let self = self {
+                await self.poll()
+                try? await Task.sleep(for: .seconds(5))
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    
+    func stop() {
+        task?.cancel()
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Notification observer
+
+```swift
+@MainActor
+final class NotificationObserver {
+    private var task: Task<Void, Never>?
+    
+    func startObserving() {
+        task = Task { [weak self] in
+            for await notification in NotificationCenter.default.notifications(
+                named: .someNotification
+            ) {
+                guard let self = self else { return }
+                self.handle(notification)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    
+    isolated deinit {
+        task?.cancel()
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Download manager
+
+```swift
+final class DownloadManager {
+    private var tasks: [URL: Task<Data, Error>] = [:]
+    
+    func download(_ url: URL) async throws -> Data {
+        let task = Task { [weak self] in
+            defer { self?.tasks.removeValue(forKey: url) }
+            return try await URLSession.shared.data(from: url).0
+        }
+        
+        tasks[url] = task
+        return try await task.value
+    }
+    
+    func cancelAll() {
+        tasks.values.forEach { $0.cancel() }
+        tasks.removeAll()
+    }
+}
+```
+
+### Timer
+
+```swift
+actor Timer {
+    private var task: Task<Void, Never>?
+    
+    func start(interval: Duration, action: @Sendable () async -> Void) {
+        task = Task {
+            while !Task.isCancelled {
+                await action()
+                try? await Task.sleep(for: interval)
+            }
+        }
+    }
+    
+    func stop() {
+        task?.cancel()
+    }
+}
+```
+
+## Debugging Checklist
+
+When object won't deallocate:
+
+- [ ] Check for strong self captures in tasks
+- [ ] Verify tasks are canceled or complete
+- [ ] Look for infinite loops or sequences
+- [ ] Check if self owns the task
+- [ ] Use Memory Graph to find cycles
+- [ ] Add deinit logging to verify
+- [ ] Test with weak references
+- [ ] Review async sequence usage
+- [ ] Check nested task captures
+- [ ] Verify cleanup in deinit
+
+## Further Learning
+
+For migration strategies, real-world examples, and advanced memory patterns, see [Swift Concurrency Course](https://www.swiftconcurrencycourse.com).
+