[Python-3000] Delayed reference counting idea

[Michael Chermside]

Speaking on the speed of GC implementations, Marcin writes:
> I'm mostly speculating. It's hard to measure the difference between
> garbage collection schemes because most language runtimes are tied
> to a particular GC implementation, and thus you can't substitute a
> different GC leaving everything else the same.

Interestingly, one of the original goals of PyPy was to create a
test bed in which it was easy to experiment and answer just this
kind of question. Unfortunately, although they have an architechure
allowing pluggable GC algorithms (what an incredible concept!) I
don't belive that any reliable conclusions can be drawn from things
as they now stand.

For more details see
http://codespeak.net/pypy/dist/pypy/doc/garbage_collection.html

-- Michael Chermside