Question

In C# code, I have three objects A, B and C. A and B each hold a reference to C. When A is destroyed I would like the reference from B to C to be deleted as well so that C can be destroyed by the Garbage Collector.

Is there a way to do this without deleting it manually from B? (The destructor in C is not called before the reference from B to C is deleted, so it is not effective here.)

Answer 1

Solution 1

Is B referenced from anywhere else in you application?

If B is only accessable through A, then B and C will be ‘removed’ when A is ‘removed’.

Solution 2

You should send a signal to B when A is ‘removed’. If B is known to A you can signal B from A. I would use an IDisposable pattern for this

Solution 3

Instead of directly referencing C from B, you can use a WeakReference from B to get to C.