Garbage Collection Algorithms from Udemy

What's inside

Learning objectives

Algorithms and data structures behind automatic memory management in computer programs.
Memory management history: static, stack, heap allocations
Virtual memory and memory layout
Tracing vs. direct collectors
Semantic vs. syntactic garbage
Mark-sweep garbage collector
Mark-compact collector
Reference counting collector

Copying collector
Generational collector
Parallel, incremental, concurrent collectors
Tri-color abstraction and marking
Gc barriers
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Algorithms and data structures behind automatic memory management in computer programs.
Memory management history: static, stack, heap allocations
Virtual memory and memory layout
Tracing vs. direct collectors
Semantic vs. syntactic garbage
Mark-sweep garbage collector
Mark-compact collector
Reference counting collector
Copying collector
Generational collector
Parallel, incremental, concurrent collectors
Tri-color abstraction and marking
Gc barriers
Show more
Show less

Syllabus

Learn about memory management history. Understand static, stack, and heap allocations. Known memory leaks and dangling pointer issues. Known virtual memory and memory layout. Build memory allocator.

You will learn:

Static, Stack, Heap allocations
Compile vs. Runtime allocation
Fixed size vs. Dynamic size allocation
Recursion
Stack frame
Stack overflow
Memory leaks, dangling pointers

You will learn:

Memory leaks: forget to deallocate
Dangling pointers: deallocate too early
Human factor in memory management

You will learn:

Memory alignment
Object header
Collector meta-information

You will learn:

Virtual address space
Kernel space vs. User space
Code segment, data segment
Stack and stack pointer
Heap and break pointer
Memory mapping
Memory management unit (MMU)
Translation lookaside buffer (TLB)

You will learn:

Life cycle of a GC'ed program
Mutator: user program
Allocator: memory allocation
Collector: garbage collector
Mutator vs. Collector object graph view
"Stop the World" state
System calls to invoke GC from Mutator

You will learn:

Sequential (aka "Bump") allocator
Free-list allocator
First fit, Next-fit, Best-fit searches
Segregated list
Blocks coalescing and splitting
Lab session to implement `malloc` and `free`

Lab session and example of implementation: http://dmitrysoshnikov.com/compilers/writing-a-memory-allocator/

You will learn:

Semantic: objects that will not be reached
Syntactic: object that cannot be reached
Example of Stack structure
Example of invalidated cache

Understand Tracing, and Direct collectors. Mark-Sweep collector algorithm. Mark-Compact collector (Lisp 2). Reference counting collector. Copying Semi-Space collector.

You will learn:

Tracing: trace for alive objects
Direct: directly identify the garbage
Main four collection algorithms

You will learn:

Mark phase: objects trace
Sweep phase: reclamation
Detailed algorithm description with code example
Non-moving collector
Free-list allocation
Heap fragmentation

Example of implementing a Mark-Sweep GC in C++: http://dmitrysoshnikov.com/compilers/writing-a-mark-sweep-garbage-collector/

You will learn:

Mark phase: objects trace
Compact phase: objects relocation
Fixing fragmentation issue
Moving collector
Forwarding address
Lisp 2 algorithm detailed description
Sequential allocator

You will learn:

Semi-space collector
Heap reservation
Forwarding address
Objects evacuation
Fixing child pointers
Bump-allocator
Detailed algorithm description with code example

You will learn:

Directly identify the garbage
Strong vs. Weak references
Deeply integrated into Mutator
Barrier pointer operations
Pauses on deep nested structures removal
Cyclic references
Detailed algorithm description with code example

Learn about generational, parallel, incremental, and concurrent collectors. Understand GC Read- and Write-barriers. Learn Snapshot-at-Beginning, Incremental Update, Bake's and Brooks methods.

You will learn:

Heap partitioning
Young vs. Old generations
Minor vs. Major collection cycles
Objects promotion
Intergenerational pointers
Write barrier

You will learn:

Mark-Region collector
Mark-Sweep + Copying + Heap partitioning
Immix collector
Heap segregation: Blocks and Lines
Free, Recyclable, Occupied blocks
Bump-allocation in recyclable blocks
Sweep-to-region technique
Heap defragmentation
Evacuation from Source to Destination blocks

You will learn:

"Stop the World" state
Multiple collection threads
Collector interruption by Mutator
Concurrently running collection thread
Synchronization barriers

You will learn:

Black, Gray, and White objects
Collection time slices
Illegal BW-pointers
Legal BW-pointers
GC barriers

You will learn:

Illegal BW-pointers
Read and Write barriers
Snapshot-at-Beginning
Incremental update (Dijkstra and Steel's)
Baker's Copying method
Brook's method
Final notes

In this part we discuss some specific collector types, such as G1 garbage collector from HotSpot virtual machine.

Java and HotSpot VM
Different GC types in Java
Generational collector
Minor and Major collection cycles
Intergenerational pointers
Write barrier
Card table
CMS heap layout
G1 heap layout
Region-based collection
Eden, Survivor, Old and Humongous regions
Stop The World state
Parallel collectors
Evacuation and promotion
Concurrent marking
Tri-color abstraction
GC barriers
Snapshot-at-beginning barrier
Mixed GC cycle

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Explores essential techniques and algorithms in Automatic Memory Management, a core skill in programming

Develops a solid understanding of memory management history and virtual memory, foundational knowledge for software engineers

Led by instructor Dmitry Soshnikov, an authority on compiler engineering, ensuring a high-quality learning experience

Provides a practical approach to memory management, including opportunities for learners to implement allocators and garbage collectors

Covers various garbage collection algorithms, empowering learners with a comprehensive understanding of the field

May require learners to come in with some programming and systems background knowledge

Reviews summary

Course recommended

According to students, Garbage Collection Algorithms is full of clear and engaging presentations. The use of illustrations and animations make this course a very popular choice for students.

Animations make lessons come to life.

"Animations help illustrate what is being said."

Presentation are clear and well-paced.

"Very nice and clear presentation"

"Illustrations make it easy to understand the concepts."

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Garbage Collection Algorithms with these activities:

Review Memory Management Concepts

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Review fundamental memory management concepts to strengthen the foundation for learning garbage collection.

Browse courses on Memory Management

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Recall and summarize the core concepts of memory management
Refresh your understanding of topics such as memory allocation, deallocation, and memory leaks

Review Data Structures and Algorithms for Garbage Collectors

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Review essential data structures and algorithms used in garbage collectors to enhance understanding.

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Identify and list the key data structures and algorithms used in garbage collectors
Review the concepts and implementation details of each data structure and algorithm
Solve practice problems or coding exercises involving these data structures and algorithms

Guided Tutorials on Memory Management Best Practices

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Follow guided tutorials to learn and apply best practices in memory management.

Browse courses on Memory Management

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Search for online tutorials on memory management best practices
Select a tutorial that aligns with your learning objectives
Follow the steps and instructions in the tutorial
Apply the best practices in your own code

Six other activities

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Memory Allocator

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Implement a memory allocator to better understand the memory management concepts.

Browse courses on Memory Management

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Design and plan your memory allocator
Implement the basic functionality of the memory allocator
Test and debug your memory allocator
Optimize your memory allocator for performance

Review 'The Garbage Collection Handbook: The Art of Automatic Memory Management'

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Review the concepts of automatic memory management which are covered in the course.

View The Garbage Collection Handbook on Amazon

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Read the introduction to the book
Read a chapter of the book relating to the topics you are most interested in
Practice the exercises in the book to test your understanding
Summarize the key concepts of the book

Garbage Collector Algorithm Implementation

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Practice implementing various garbage collector algorithms to solidify knowledge and skills.

Browse courses on Garbage Collection

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Choose a garbage collector algorithm to implement
Design and plan the implementation of the algorithm
Code the implementation of the algorithm
Test and debug the implementation
Evaluate and improve the implementation

Presentation on Garbage Collection Algorithms

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Create a presentation to summarize and present the various garbage collection algorithms covered in the course.

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Select the garbage collection algorithms to cover in your presentation
Research and gather information about each algorithm
Design and structure your presentation
Create the content for your presentation
Practice and rehearse your presentation

Attend a Workshop on Advanced Garbage Collection Techniques

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Attend a workshop to enhance your understanding of advanced garbage collection techniques.

Browse courses on Garbage Collection

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Search for and identify a relevant workshop
Register for the workshop
Attend the workshop and actively participate
Take notes and ask questions during the workshop

Contribute to Open Source Garbage Collection Projects

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Contribute to open source garbage collection projects to apply and expand your knowledge.

Browse courses on Garbage Collection

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Identify open source garbage collection projects to contribute to
Review the documentation and codebase of the project
Select an area or issue to work on
Make changes and submit pull requests

Career center

Learners who complete Garbage Collection Algorithms will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Compiler Engineer

Compiler Engineers are responsible for designing, developing, and maintaining compilers that translate high-level code into efficient machine instructions. They ensure that compiled programs run smoothly and efficiently on various platforms. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course is highly relevant to this role, as it delves into the intricacies of automatic memory management in compilers. By understanding how garbage collectors operate, you can contribute to the development of advanced compilers that optimize memory usage and improve program performance.

See salaries and explore the career path for Compiler Engineer

Memory Manager

Memory Managers specialize in optimizing memory usage and performance in computer systems. They develop and implement memory management algorithms and techniques to maximize memory efficiency and minimize memory leaks. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course is highly relevant to this role, as it provides a comprehensive understanding of various garbage collection algorithms, including mark-sweep, mark-compact, and reference counting. By gaining expertise in these techniques, you can pursue a career as a Memory Manager and excel in optimizing memory management systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Memory Manager

Performance Engineer

Performance Engineers analyze and optimize the performance of computer systems and applications. They identify bottlenecks and inefficiencies, and implement solutions to improve system performance and user experience. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course can benefit Performance Engineers by providing insights into memory management techniques and their impact on system performance. By understanding how garbage collection works, you can identify memory-related performance issues and develop strategies to mitigate them, ensuring optimal system performance under various workloads.

See salaries and explore the career path for Performance Engineer

Virtualization Engineer

Virtualization Engineers specialize in creating and managing virtual environments, enabling multiple operating systems and applications to run simultaneously on a single physical server. They ensure that virtual machines operate efficiently and securely. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course can provide valuable knowledge for Virtualization Engineers, as it covers memory management techniques in virtualized environments. By understanding how garbage collection works in virtual machines, you can optimize memory usage, improve performance, and prevent memory-related issues, ensuring the smooth operation of your virtualized systems.

See salaries and explore the career path for Virtualization Engineer

Cloud Architect

Cloud Architects design and manage cloud computing systems, ensuring scalability, reliability, and cost-effectiveness. They work with organizations to develop and implement cloud strategies, optimizing cloud resource utilization. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course can provide Cloud Architects with a solid foundation in memory management techniques in cloud environments. By understanding how garbage collection operates in cloud platforms, you can design and manage cloud systems that are efficient, scalable, and cost-optimized.

See salaries and explore the career path for Cloud Architect

Systems Engineer

Systems Engineers design, deploy, and maintain complex computer systems and networks. They ensure that these systems operate reliably and efficiently, meeting the organization's business needs. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course can be beneficial for Systems Engineers, providing insights into memory management techniques in operating systems and virtual machines. By understanding how garbage collection works, you can enhance the stability and performance of the systems you manage, ensuring smooth operation and optimal resource utilization.

See salaries and explore the career path for Systems Engineer

Computer Scientist

Computer Scientists play a pivotal role in designing and developing computer hardware, software, and systems, providing innovative solutions to real-world issues. They use their expertise in algorithms, data structures, and computer languages to solve complex problems. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course can be a valuable asset for aspiring Computer Scientists, providing a comprehensive understanding of automatic memory management algorithms and techniques. By studying memory allocation and deallocation, you'll gain fundamental programming concepts that will enhance your ability to develop efficient and reliable software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Computer Scientist

Software Engineer

Software Engineers apply their programming skills to design, develop, test, and maintain software systems. They work on a wide range of projects, from developing mobile apps to building complex enterprise systems. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course can provide Software Engineers with an in-depth understanding of memory management techniques, enabling them to write clean and efficient code. By mastering these concepts, you can improve the performance and reliability of your software applications.

See salaries and explore the career path for Software Engineer

DevOps Engineer

DevOps Engineers bridge the gap between development and operations teams, ensuring smooth collaboration and efficient software delivery. They automate and streamline software development and deployment processes. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course may be useful for DevOps Engineers who work on projects involving continuous integration and continuous delivery pipelines. By understanding memory management techniques, you can optimize memory usage and prevent memory leaks, ensuring the smooth and reliable deployment of software applications.

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Embedded Systems Engineer

Embedded Systems Engineers design and develop computer systems for embedded devices such as smartphones, industrial controllers, and medical equipment. They ensure that these systems meet strict requirements for performance, reliability, and power consumption. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course may be useful for Embedded Systems Engineers who work on systems with limited memory resources. By understanding memory management techniques, you can optimize memory usage and minimize memory leaks, which is crucial for ensuring the smooth operation of embedded systems with constrained resources.

See salaries and explore the career path for Embedded Systems Engineer

Quality Assurance Engineer

Quality Assurance Engineers test and evaluate software applications to ensure they meet quality standards and user requirements. They work on various aspects of software testing, including functional testing, performance testing, and security testing. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course may be useful for Quality Assurance Engineers who work on testing memory-intensive applications or systems. By understanding memory management techniques, you can identify and debug memory-related issues more effectively, contributing to the delivery of high-quality software products.

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Security Engineer

Security Engineers design and implement security measures to protect computer systems and networks from cyber threats. They work on various aspects of cybersecurity, including vulnerability assessment, threat detection, and incident response. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course may be useful for Security Engineers who work on memory-related security vulnerabilities. By understanding memory management techniques, you can identify and mitigate memory-based attacks, such as buffer overflows and memory leaks, enhancing the security posture of computer systems.

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Game Developer

Game Developers design and develop video games, working on various aspects such as gameplay, graphics, and artificial intelligence. They use their programming skills to create immersive and engaging gaming experiences. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course may be useful for Game Developers who work on complex games with dynamic memory allocation. By understanding memory management techniques, you can optimize memory usage and prevent memory-related crashes, ensuring a smooth and enjoyable gaming experience for users.

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Database Administrator

Database Administrators manage and maintain database systems, ensuring data integrity, security, and performance. They work with databases to create, modify, and optimize data structures and storage mechanisms. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course may be useful for Database Administrators who work on large and complex databases with dynamic data allocation. By understanding memory management techniques, you can optimize memory usage and prevent memory-related issues, ensuring the smooth operation and performance of database systems.

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Data Analyst

Data Analysts collect, analyze, and interpret data to extract meaningful insights. They use statistical and programming skills to identify trends, patterns, and relationships in data. The Essentials of Garbage Collectors course may be useful for Data Analysts who work on data-intensive projects, particularly those involving large datasets. By understanding memory management techniques, you can optimize memory usage and prevent memory leaks, ensuring the efficient processing and analysis of large datasets.

See salaries and explore the career path for Data Analyst