[Python-ideas] Why don't CPython strings implement slicing using a view?

[Nikolaus Rath]

On May 07 2015, Steven D'Aprano <steve-iDnA/YwAAsAk+I/owrrOrA at public.gmane.org> wrote:
> But a view would be harmful in this situation:
>
> s = "some string"*1000000
> t = s[1:2]  # a view maskerading as a new string
> del s
>
> Now we keep the entire string alive long after it is needed.
>
> How would you solve the first problem without introducing the second?

Keep track of the reference count of the underlying string, and if it
goes down to one, turn the view into a copy and remove the sliced
original?

Best,
-Nikolaus

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