[Python-Dev] Py_BuildValue and decref (original) (raw)

Barry Warsaw barry at python.org
Sat Sep 9 00:27:08 CEST 2006

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On Sep 8, 2006, at 6:06 PM, Mihai Ibanescu wrote:

There is no description of what happens when PyBuildValue fails. Will it decref the python object passed in? Will it not?

I just want to point out that the C API documentation is pretty
silent about the refcounting side-effects in error conditions (and
often in success conditions too) of most Python functions. For
example, what is the refcounting side-effects of PyDict_SetItem() on
val? What about if that function fails? Has val been incref'd or
not? What about the side-effects on any value the new one replaces,
both in success and failure?

The C API documentation has improved in documenting the refcount
behavior for return values of many of the functions, but the only
reliable way to know what some other side-effects are is to read the
code. After I perfect my human cloning techniques, I'll be assigning
one of my minions to fix this situation (I'll bet my clean-the-kitty- litter-and-stalk-er-keep-tabs-on-Britney clone would love to take a
break for a few weeks to work on this).

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