Abstract: Resource use is recorded with a partitioned reference counter. The sum of all resource counter partitions is equivalent to the total references to a resource. When one resource counter partition reaches zero, it is possible that the resource should be destroyed. To determine if this is the case, all other partitions can be checked for a value of zero. If all the partitions are zero, the resource can be destroyed. Coarse grained partitioning and add/release on all partitions can be employed to avoid extra work associated with a local partition reaching zero. Further, destroying or deleting a resource can be accomplished in a manner that avoids a race condition.

Abstract: Resource use is recorded with a partitioned reference counter. The sum of all resource counter partitions is equivalent to the total references to a resource. When one resource counter partition reaches zero, it is possible that the resource should be destroyed. To determine if this is the case, all other partitions can be checked for a value of zero. If all the partitions are zero, the resource can be destroyed. Coarse grained partitioning and add/release on all partitions can be employed to avoid extra work associated with a local partition reaching zero. Further, destroying or deleting a resource can be accomplished in a manner that avoids a race condition.