Abstract: A system and method for optimizing memory usage by automatic detection of likely lingering objects are disclosed. In one embodiment, an object reference graph associated with the software application is analyzed to determine which objects in the heap are likely to have become lingering objects based on a heuristic criteria profile. A metric, i.e., a numerical value associated with objects, is offered by the method to assess the impact of the possible lingering objects on the heap in a measurable way.

Abstract: A system and method for determining deallocatable memory in a heap that includes a plurality of referenced objects. In one embodiment, the method includes determining a subset of objects based on a predetermined criterion and determining the amount of deallocatable memory associated with objects of the subset.