Question

Should if statements be used to assist in the stack’s memory de-allocation?

Example A:

        var objectHolder = new ObjectHolder();
        if (true)
        {
            List<DefinedObject> objectList;
            using (var sr = new GenericStreamReader<DefinedObject>())
            {
                objectList= sr.Get().ToList();
            }
            if (true)
            {
                var DOF = new DefinedObjectFactory();
                objectHolder.DefinedObjects = DOF.DefineObjects(objectList);
            }
        }
        //example endpoint

Example B:

        var objectHolder = new ObjectHolder();
        List<DefinedObject> objectList;
        using (var sr = new GenericStreamReader<DefinedObject>())
        {
         objectList= sr.Get().ToList();
        }
        var DOF = new DefinedObjectFactory();
        objectHolder.DefinedObjects = DOF.DefineObjects(objectList);
        //example endpoint

Will Example A have a lighter footprint on the stack when example endpoint is reached versus when example endpoint is reached in Example B??

Answer 1

Based on the usage, I’m assuming DefinedObjectFactory is a class, not a struct. Therefore, the only thing that’s on the stack is a reference to DefinedObjectFactory. The actual object is on the heap, and is controlled by the garbage collector.

The only stack space you’re potentially saving is the space for a single pointer, so it’s not worth it.