Wolfram Language Paclet Repository

Community-contributed installable additions to the Wolfram Language

JasonB/ WeakCache

Functions for caching with automatic garbage collection

Contributed by: Jason Biggs, Wolfram Research

Functions for storing data in memory in a key-value store in such that the data is automatically deleted when there are no more references to the its key. These functions are intended for package developers who wish to take advantage of caching for expensive computations without the memory leaks associated with other techniques such as memoization and Once. A global weak cache is provided with functions for adding and retrieving data, and you can also create your own weak hash table that you control.

Installation Instructions

To install this paclet in your Wolfram Language environment, evaluate this code:
PacletInstall["JasonB/WeakCache"]


To load the code after installation, evaluate this code:
Needs["JasonB`WeakCache`"]

Details

This paclet uses internal undocumented Wolfram Language functions, and are therefore not gauranteed to work in future versions of the language.

Paclet Guide

Examples

Basic Examples (3) 

Two expressions that are identical are considered SameQ:

In[1]:=
a = <|"key" -> 1|>; b = <|"key" -> 1|>; a === b
Out[3]=

However, they are different instances of the same data:

In[4]:=
InterpretationBox[FrameBox[TagBox[TooltipBox[PaneBox[GridBox[List[List[GraphicsBox[List[Thickness[0.0025`], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.9607843137254902`, 0.5058823529411764`, 0.19607843137254902`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3]]], List[List[List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[205.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[246.01799774169922`, 235.99870109558105`], List[369.0710144042969`, 307.0436840057373`], List[369.0710144042969`, 117.59068870544434`], List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`]], List[List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`], List[153.98200225830078`, 235.99870109558105`], List[195.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[195.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[30.928985595703125`, 117.59068870544434`], List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`]], List[List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`], List[364.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[241.01799774169922`, 244.65868949890137`], List[200.`, 220.97669792175293`], List[158.98200225830078`, 244.65868949890137`], List[35.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`]], List[List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`], List[202.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[200.95300006866455`, 421.42667961120605`], List[199.04699993133545`, 421.42667961120605`], List[197.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[23.428985595703125`, 320.03370475769043`], List[21.882003784179688`, 319.1406993865967`], List[20.928985595703125`, 317.4896984100342`], List[20.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[20.928985595703125`, 114.70369529724121`], List[20.928985595703125`, 112.91769218444824`], List[21.882003784179688`, 111.26669120788574`], List[23.428985595703125`, 110.37369346618652`], List[197.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[198.27300024032593`, 9.426692008972168`], List[199.13700008392334`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.86299991607666`, 9.203690528869629`], List[201.72699999809265`, 9.426692008972168`], List[202.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[376.5710144042969`, 110.37369346618652`], List[378.1179962158203`, 111.26669120788574`], List[379.0710144042969`, 112.91769218444824`], List[379.0710144042969`, 114.70369529724121`], List[379.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[379.0710144042969`, 317.4896984100342`], List[378.1179962158203`, 319.1406993865967`], List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.5529411764705883`, 0.6745098039215687`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`], List[181.00001525878906`, 204.0298843383789`], List[181.00001525878906`, 46.90887451171875`], List[44.92900085449219`, 125.46986389160156`], List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6627450980392157`, 0.803921568627451`, 0.5686274509803921`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`], List[355.0710144042969`, 125.46986389160156`], List[219.`, 46.90887451171875`], List[219.`, 204.0298843383789`], List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6901960784313725`, 0.5882352941176471`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`], List[336.0710144042969`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 236.93968200683594`], List[63.928985595703125`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`]]]]]], List[Rule[BaselinePosition, Scaled[0.15`]], Rule[ImageSize, 10], Rule[ImageSize, 15]]], StyleBox[RowBox[List["SameInstanceQ", " "]], Rule[ShowAutoStyles, False], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, False], Rule[FontSize, Times[0.9`, Inherited]], Rule[FontColor, GrayLevel[0.1`]]]]], Rule[GridBoxSpacings, List[Rule["Columns", List[List[0.25`]]]]]], Rule[Alignment, List[Left, Baseline]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[3, 0], List[0, 0]]], Rule[BaseStyle, List[Rule[LineSpacing, List[0, 0]], Rule[LineBreakWithin, False]]]], RowBox[List["PacletSymbol", "[", RowBox[List["\"JasonB/WeakCache\"", ",", "\"JasonB`WeakCache`SameInstanceQ\""]], "]"]], Rule[TooltipStyle, List[Rule[ShowAutoStyles, True], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]]]], Function[Annotation[Slot[1], Style[Defer[PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`SameInstanceQ"]], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]], "Tooltip"]]], Rule[Background, RGBColor[0.968`, 0.976`, 0.984`]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[DefaultBaseStyle, List[]], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[0, 0], List[1, 1]]], Rule[FrameStyle, RGBColor[0.831`, 0.847`, 0.85`]], Rule[RoundingRadius, 4]], PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`SameInstanceQ"], Rule[Selectable, False], Rule[SelectWithContents, True], Rule[BoxID, "PacletSymbolBox"]][a, b]
Out[4]=
In[5]:=
c = a; InterpretationBox[FrameBox[TagBox[TooltipBox[PaneBox[GridBox[List[List[GraphicsBox[List[Thickness[0.0025`], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.9607843137254902`, 0.5058823529411764`, 0.19607843137254902`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3]]], List[List[List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[205.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[246.01799774169922`, 235.99870109558105`], List[369.0710144042969`, 307.0436840057373`], List[369.0710144042969`, 117.59068870544434`], List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`]], List[List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`], List[153.98200225830078`, 235.99870109558105`], List[195.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[195.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[30.928985595703125`, 117.59068870544434`], List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`]], List[List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`], List[364.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[241.01799774169922`, 244.65868949890137`], List[200.`, 220.97669792175293`], List[158.98200225830078`, 244.65868949890137`], List[35.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`]], List[List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`], List[202.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[200.95300006866455`, 421.42667961120605`], List[199.04699993133545`, 421.42667961120605`], List[197.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[23.428985595703125`, 320.03370475769043`], List[21.882003784179688`, 319.1406993865967`], List[20.928985595703125`, 317.4896984100342`], List[20.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[20.928985595703125`, 114.70369529724121`], List[20.928985595703125`, 112.91769218444824`], List[21.882003784179688`, 111.26669120788574`], List[23.428985595703125`, 110.37369346618652`], List[197.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[198.27300024032593`, 9.426692008972168`], List[199.13700008392334`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.86299991607666`, 9.203690528869629`], List[201.72699999809265`, 9.426692008972168`], List[202.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[376.5710144042969`, 110.37369346618652`], List[378.1179962158203`, 111.26669120788574`], List[379.0710144042969`, 112.91769218444824`], List[379.0710144042969`, 114.70369529724121`], List[379.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[379.0710144042969`, 317.4896984100342`], List[378.1179962158203`, 319.1406993865967`], List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.5529411764705883`, 0.6745098039215687`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`], List[181.00001525878906`, 204.0298843383789`], List[181.00001525878906`, 46.90887451171875`], List[44.92900085449219`, 125.46986389160156`], List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6627450980392157`, 0.803921568627451`, 0.5686274509803921`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`], List[355.0710144042969`, 125.46986389160156`], List[219.`, 46.90887451171875`], List[219.`, 204.0298843383789`], List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6901960784313725`, 0.5882352941176471`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`], List[336.0710144042969`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 236.93968200683594`], List[63.928985595703125`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`]]]]]], List[Rule[BaselinePosition, Scaled[0.15`]], Rule[ImageSize, 10], Rule[ImageSize, 15]]], StyleBox[RowBox[List["SameInstanceQ", " "]], Rule[ShowAutoStyles, False], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, False], Rule[FontSize, Times[0.9`, Inherited]], Rule[FontColor, GrayLevel[0.1`]]]]], Rule[GridBoxSpacings, List[Rule["Columns", List[List[0.25`]]]]]], Rule[Alignment, List[Left, Baseline]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[3, 0], List[0, 0]]], Rule[BaseStyle, List[Rule[LineSpacing, List[0, 0]], Rule[LineBreakWithin, False]]]], RowBox[List["PacletSymbol", "[", RowBox[List["\"JasonB/WeakCache\"", ",", "\"JasonB`WeakCache`SameInstanceQ\""]], "]"]], Rule[TooltipStyle, List[Rule[ShowAutoStyles, True], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]]]], Function[Annotation[Slot[1], Style[Defer[PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`SameInstanceQ"]], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]], "Tooltip"]]], Rule[Background, RGBColor[0.968`, 0.976`, 0.984`]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[DefaultBaseStyle, List[]], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[0, 0], List[1, 1]]], Rule[FrameStyle, RGBColor[0.831`, 0.847`, 0.85`]], Rule[RoundingRadius, 4]], PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`SameInstanceQ"], Rule[Selectable, False], Rule[SelectWithContents, True], Rule[BoxID, "PacletSymbolBox"]][a, c]
Out[6]=

When an expression is used to store data in a weak cache it is stored under the objects physical memory address, rather than the contents of the expression:

In[7]:=
InterpretationBox[FrameBox[TagBox[TooltipBox[PaneBox[GridBox[List[List[GraphicsBox[List[Thickness[0.0025`], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.9607843137254902`, 0.5058823529411764`, 0.19607843137254902`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3]]], List[List[List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[205.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[246.01799774169922`, 235.99870109558105`], List[369.0710144042969`, 307.0436840057373`], List[369.0710144042969`, 117.59068870544434`], List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`]], List[List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`], List[153.98200225830078`, 235.99870109558105`], List[195.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[195.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[30.928985595703125`, 117.59068870544434`], List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`]], List[List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`], List[364.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[241.01799774169922`, 244.65868949890137`], List[200.`, 220.97669792175293`], List[158.98200225830078`, 244.65868949890137`], List[35.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`]], List[List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`], List[202.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[200.95300006866455`, 421.42667961120605`], List[199.04699993133545`, 421.42667961120605`], List[197.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[23.428985595703125`, 320.03370475769043`], List[21.882003784179688`, 319.1406993865967`], List[20.928985595703125`, 317.4896984100342`], List[20.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[20.928985595703125`, 114.70369529724121`], List[20.928985595703125`, 112.91769218444824`], List[21.882003784179688`, 111.26669120788574`], List[23.428985595703125`, 110.37369346618652`], List[197.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[198.27300024032593`, 9.426692008972168`], List[199.13700008392334`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.86299991607666`, 9.203690528869629`], List[201.72699999809265`, 9.426692008972168`], List[202.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[376.5710144042969`, 110.37369346618652`], List[378.1179962158203`, 111.26669120788574`], List[379.0710144042969`, 112.91769218444824`], List[379.0710144042969`, 114.70369529724121`], List[379.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[379.0710144042969`, 317.4896984100342`], List[378.1179962158203`, 319.1406993865967`], List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.5529411764705883`, 0.6745098039215687`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`], List[181.00001525878906`, 204.0298843383789`], List[181.00001525878906`, 46.90887451171875`], List[44.92900085449219`, 125.46986389160156`], List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6627450980392157`, 0.803921568627451`, 0.5686274509803921`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`], List[355.0710144042969`, 125.46986389160156`], List[219.`, 46.90887451171875`], List[219.`, 204.0298843383789`], List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6901960784313725`, 0.5882352941176471`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`], List[336.0710144042969`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 236.93968200683594`], List[63.928985595703125`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`]]]]]], List[Rule[BaselinePosition, Scaled[0.15`]], Rule[ImageSize, 10], Rule[ImageSize, 15]]], StyleBox[RowBox[List["SetWeakCache", " "]], Rule[ShowAutoStyles, False], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, False], Rule[FontSize, Times[0.9`, Inherited]], Rule[FontColor, GrayLevel[0.1`]]]]], Rule[GridBoxSpacings, List[Rule["Columns", List[List[0.25`]]]]]], Rule[Alignment, List[Left, Baseline]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[3, 0], List[0, 0]]], Rule[BaseStyle, List[Rule[LineSpacing, List[0, 0]], Rule[LineBreakWithin, False]]]], RowBox[List["PacletSymbol", "[", RowBox[List["\"JasonB/WeakCache\"", ",", "\"JasonB`WeakCache`SetWeakCache\""]], "]"]], Rule[TooltipStyle, List[Rule[ShowAutoStyles, True], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]]]], Function[Annotation[Slot[1], Style[Defer[PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`SetWeakCache"]], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]], "Tooltip"]]], Rule[Background, RGBColor[0.968`, 0.976`, 0.984`]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[DefaultBaseStyle, List[]], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[0, 0], List[1, 1]]], Rule[FrameStyle, RGBColor[0.831`, 0.847`, 0.85`]], Rule[RoundingRadius, 4]], PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`SetWeakCache"], Rule[Selectable, False], Rule[SelectWithContents, True], Rule[BoxID, "PacletSymbolBox"]][a, "cache_key", {1, 2, 3, 4}]
In[8]:=
InterpretationBox[FrameBox[TagBox[TooltipBox[PaneBox[GridBox[List[List[GraphicsBox[List[Thickness[0.0025`], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.9607843137254902`, 0.5058823529411764`, 0.19607843137254902`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3]]], List[List[List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[205.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[246.01799774169922`, 235.99870109558105`], List[369.0710144042969`, 307.0436840057373`], List[369.0710144042969`, 117.59068870544434`], List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`]], List[List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`], List[153.98200225830078`, 235.99870109558105`], List[195.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[195.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[30.928985595703125`, 117.59068870544434`], List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`]], List[List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`], List[364.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[241.01799774169922`, 244.65868949890137`], List[200.`, 220.97669792175293`], List[158.98200225830078`, 244.65868949890137`], List[35.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`]], List[List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`], List[202.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[200.95300006866455`, 421.42667961120605`], List[199.04699993133545`, 421.42667961120605`], List[197.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[23.428985595703125`, 320.03370475769043`], List[21.882003784179688`, 319.1406993865967`], List[20.928985595703125`, 317.4896984100342`], List[20.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[20.928985595703125`, 114.70369529724121`], List[20.928985595703125`, 112.91769218444824`], List[21.882003784179688`, 111.26669120788574`], List[23.428985595703125`, 110.37369346618652`], List[197.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[198.27300024032593`, 9.426692008972168`], List[199.13700008392334`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.86299991607666`, 9.203690528869629`], List[201.72699999809265`, 9.426692008972168`], List[202.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[376.5710144042969`, 110.37369346618652`], List[378.1179962158203`, 111.26669120788574`], List[379.0710144042969`, 112.91769218444824`], List[379.0710144042969`, 114.70369529724121`], List[379.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[379.0710144042969`, 317.4896984100342`], List[378.1179962158203`, 319.1406993865967`], List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.5529411764705883`, 0.6745098039215687`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`], List[181.00001525878906`, 204.0298843383789`], List[181.00001525878906`, 46.90887451171875`], List[44.92900085449219`, 125.46986389160156`], List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6627450980392157`, 0.803921568627451`, 0.5686274509803921`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`], List[355.0710144042969`, 125.46986389160156`], List[219.`, 46.90887451171875`], List[219.`, 204.0298843383789`], List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6901960784313725`, 0.5882352941176471`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`], List[336.0710144042969`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 236.93968200683594`], List[63.928985595703125`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`]]]]]], List[Rule[BaselinePosition, Scaled[0.15`]], Rule[ImageSize, 10], Rule[ImageSize, 15]]], StyleBox[RowBox[List["CheckWeakCache", " "]], Rule[ShowAutoStyles, False], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, False], Rule[FontSize, Times[0.9`, Inherited]], Rule[FontColor, GrayLevel[0.1`]]]]], Rule[GridBoxSpacings, List[Rule["Columns", List[List[0.25`]]]]]], Rule[Alignment, List[Left, Baseline]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[3, 0], List[0, 0]]], Rule[BaseStyle, List[Rule[LineSpacing, List[0, 0]], Rule[LineBreakWithin, False]]]], RowBox[List["PacletSymbol", "[", RowBox[List["\"JasonB/WeakCache\"", ",", "\"JasonB`WeakCache`CheckWeakCache\""]], "]"]], Rule[TooltipStyle, List[Rule[ShowAutoStyles, True], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]]]], Function[Annotation[Slot[1], Style[Defer[PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`CheckWeakCache"]], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]], "Tooltip"]]], Rule[Background, RGBColor[0.968`, 0.976`, 0.984`]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[DefaultBaseStyle, List[]], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[0, 0], List[1, 1]]], Rule[FrameStyle, RGBColor[0.831`, 0.847`, 0.85`]], Rule[RoundingRadius, 4]], PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`CheckWeakCache"], Rule[Selectable, False], Rule[SelectWithContents, True], Rule[BoxID, "PacletSymbolBox"]][a, "cache_key"]
Out[8]=

Scope (2) 

As in many examples for this paclet, we set the evaluation history to zero to avoid confusion:

In[9]:=
$HistoryLength = 0
Out[9]=

Define an expression and set a cleanup function to be called when the expression goes out of scope:

In[10]:=
InterpretationBox[FrameBox[TagBox[TooltipBox[PaneBox[GridBox[List[List[GraphicsBox[List[Thickness[0.0025`], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.9607843137254902`, 0.5058823529411764`, 0.19607843137254902`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3]]], List[List[List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[205.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[246.01799774169922`, 235.99870109558105`], List[369.0710144042969`, 307.0436840057373`], List[369.0710144042969`, 117.59068870544434`], List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`]], List[List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`], List[153.98200225830078`, 235.99870109558105`], List[195.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[195.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[30.928985595703125`, 117.59068870544434`], List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`]], List[List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`], List[364.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[241.01799774169922`, 244.65868949890137`], List[200.`, 220.97669792175293`], List[158.98200225830078`, 244.65868949890137`], List[35.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`]], List[List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`], List[202.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[200.95300006866455`, 421.42667961120605`], List[199.04699993133545`, 421.42667961120605`], List[197.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[23.428985595703125`, 320.03370475769043`], List[21.882003784179688`, 319.1406993865967`], List[20.928985595703125`, 317.4896984100342`], List[20.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[20.928985595703125`, 114.70369529724121`], List[20.928985595703125`, 112.91769218444824`], List[21.882003784179688`, 111.26669120788574`], List[23.428985595703125`, 110.37369346618652`], List[197.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[198.27300024032593`, 9.426692008972168`], List[199.13700008392334`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.86299991607666`, 9.203690528869629`], List[201.72699999809265`, 9.426692008972168`], List[202.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[376.5710144042969`, 110.37369346618652`], List[378.1179962158203`, 111.26669120788574`], List[379.0710144042969`, 112.91769218444824`], List[379.0710144042969`, 114.70369529724121`], List[379.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[379.0710144042969`, 317.4896984100342`], List[378.1179962158203`, 319.1406993865967`], List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.5529411764705883`, 0.6745098039215687`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`], List[181.00001525878906`, 204.0298843383789`], List[181.00001525878906`, 46.90887451171875`], List[44.92900085449219`, 125.46986389160156`], List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6627450980392157`, 0.803921568627451`, 0.5686274509803921`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`], List[355.0710144042969`, 125.46986389160156`], List[219.`, 46.90887451171875`], List[219.`, 204.0298843383789`], List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6901960784313725`, 0.5882352941176471`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`], List[336.0710144042969`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 236.93968200683594`], List[63.928985595703125`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`]]]]]], List[Rule[BaselinePosition, Scaled[0.15`]], Rule[ImageSize, 10], Rule[ImageSize, 15]]], StyleBox[RowBox[List["CleanupAfter", " "]], Rule[ShowAutoStyles, False], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, False], Rule[FontSize, Times[0.9`, Inherited]], Rule[FontColor, GrayLevel[0.1`]]]]], Rule[GridBoxSpacings, List[Rule["Columns", List[List[0.25`]]]]]], Rule[Alignment, List[Left, Baseline]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[3, 0], List[0, 0]]], Rule[BaseStyle, List[Rule[LineSpacing, List[0, 0]], Rule[LineBreakWithin, False]]]], RowBox[List["PacletSymbol", "[", RowBox[List["\"JasonB/WeakCache\"", ",", "\"JasonB`WeakCache`CleanupAfter\""]], "]"]], Rule[TooltipStyle, List[Rule[ShowAutoStyles, True], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]]]], Function[Annotation[Slot[1], Style[Defer[PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`CleanupAfter"]], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]], "Tooltip"]]], Rule[Background, RGBColor[0.968`, 0.976`, 0.984`]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[DefaultBaseStyle, List[]], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[0, 0], List[1, 1]]], Rule[FrameStyle, RGBColor[0.831`, 0.847`, 0.85`]], Rule[RoundingRadius, 4]], PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`CleanupAfter"], Rule[Selectable, False], Rule[SelectWithContents, True], Rule[BoxID, "PacletSymbolBox"]][expr = {1, 2, 3, 4}, Print@"cleaning after expr"]

The expression is only evaluated when expr is cleared:

In[11]:=
expr =.

Create a WeakHashTable for use in your package:

In[12]:=
$HistoryLength = 0; table = InterpretationBox[FrameBox[TagBox[TooltipBox[PaneBox[GridBox[List[List[GraphicsBox[List[Thickness[0.0025`], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.9607843137254902`, 0.5058823529411764`, 0.19607843137254902`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]], List[List[0, 2, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3], List[0, 1, 0], List[1, 3, 3]]], List[List[List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[205.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[246.01799774169922`, 235.99870109558105`], List[369.0710144042969`, 307.0436840057373`], List[369.0710144042969`, 117.59068870544434`], List[205.`, 22.863691329956055`]], List[List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`], List[153.98200225830078`, 235.99870109558105`], List[195.`, 212.31669425964355`], List[195.`, 22.863691329956055`], List[30.928985595703125`, 117.59068870544434`], List[30.928985595703125`, 307.0436840057373`]], List[List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`], List[364.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[241.01799774169922`, 244.65868949890137`], List[200.`, 220.97669792175293`], List[158.98200225830078`, 244.65868949890137`], List[35.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[200.`, 410.42970085144043`]], List[List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`], List[202.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[200.95300006866455`, 421.42667961120605`], List[199.04699993133545`, 421.42667961120605`], List[197.5`, 420.53370475769043`], List[23.428985595703125`, 320.03370475769043`], List[21.882003784179688`, 319.1406993865967`], List[20.928985595703125`, 317.4896984100342`], List[20.928985595703125`, 315.7036876678467`], List[20.928985595703125`, 114.70369529724121`], List[20.928985595703125`, 112.91769218444824`], List[21.882003784179688`, 111.26669120788574`], List[23.428985595703125`, 110.37369346618652`], List[197.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[198.27300024032593`, 9.426692008972168`], List[199.13700008392334`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.`, 9.203690528869629`], List[200.86299991607666`, 9.203690528869629`], List[201.72699999809265`, 9.426692008972168`], List[202.5`, 9.87369155883789`], List[376.5710144042969`, 110.37369346618652`], List[378.1179962158203`, 111.26669120788574`], List[379.0710144042969`, 112.91769218444824`], List[379.0710144042969`, 114.70369529724121`], List[379.0710144042969`, 315.7036876678467`], List[379.0710144042969`, 317.4896984100342`], List[378.1179962158203`, 319.1406993865967`], List[376.5710144042969`, 320.03370475769043`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.5529411764705883`, 0.6745098039215687`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`], List[181.00001525878906`, 204.0298843383789`], List[181.00001525878906`, 46.90887451171875`], List[44.92900085449219`, 125.46986389160156`], List[44.92900085449219`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6627450980392157`, 0.803921568627451`, 0.5686274509803921`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`], List[355.0710144042969`, 125.46986389160156`], List[219.`, 46.90887451171875`], List[219.`, 204.0298843383789`], List[355.0710144042969`, 282.59088134765625`]]]]], List[FaceForm[List[RGBColor[0.6901960784313725`, 0.5882352941176471`, 0.8117647058823529`], Opacity[1.`]]], FilledCurveBox[List[List[List[0, 2, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0], List[0, 1, 0]]], List[List[List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`], List[336.0710144042969`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 236.93968200683594`], List[63.928985595703125`, 315.4997024536133`], List[200.`, 394.0606994628906`]]]]]], List[Rule[BaselinePosition, Scaled[0.15`]], Rule[ImageSize, 10], Rule[ImageSize, 15]]], StyleBox[RowBox[List["WeakHashTable", " "]], Rule[ShowAutoStyles, False], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, False], Rule[FontSize, Times[0.9`, Inherited]], Rule[FontColor, GrayLevel[0.1`]]]]], Rule[GridBoxSpacings, List[Rule["Columns", List[List[0.25`]]]]]], Rule[Alignment, List[Left, Baseline]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[3, 0], List[0, 0]]], Rule[BaseStyle, List[Rule[LineSpacing, List[0, 0]], Rule[LineBreakWithin, False]]]], RowBox[List["PacletSymbol", "[", RowBox[List["\"JasonB/WeakCache\"", ",", "\"JasonB`WeakCache`WeakHashTable\""]], "]"]], Rule[TooltipStyle, List[Rule[ShowAutoStyles, True], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]]]], Function[Annotation[Slot[1], Style[Defer[PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`WeakHashTable"]], Rule[ShowStringCharacters, True]], "Tooltip"]]], Rule[Background, RGBColor[0.968`, 0.976`, 0.984`]], Rule[BaselinePosition, Baseline], Rule[DefaultBaseStyle, List[]], Rule[FrameMargins, List[List[0, 0], List[1, 1]]], Rule[FrameStyle, RGBColor[0.831`, 0.847`, 0.85`]], Rule[RoundingRadius, 4]], PacletSymbol["JasonB/WeakCache", "JasonB`WeakCache`WeakHashTable"], Rule[Selectable, False], Rule[SelectWithContents, True], Rule[BoxID, "PacletSymbolBox"]]["my table"]
Out[10]=

Create an expression and store some data in the table:

In[13]:=
g = CompleteGraph[15]; table["Insert", g, "key", FindShortestTour[g]]

Retrieve the data from the table:

In[14]:=
table["Lookup", g, "key"]
Out[14]=

Lookups are done by reference, not by value, so using an identical expression will return $Failed:

In[15]:=
table["Lookup", CompleteGraph[15], "key"]
Out[15]=

Assigning another variable to g will point to the same data:

In[16]:=
g2 = g; table["Lookup", g2, "key"]
Out[8]=

When all references to the data are gone the cached data is cleared from the table:

In[17]:=
Clear[g, g2]
In[18]:=
table["Length"]
Out[18]=

Publisher

JasonB

Disclosures

Compatibility

Wolfram Language Version 13.0

Version History

  • 1.0.0 – 17 April 2024
  • 0.1.0 – 27 October 2022
  • 0.0.2 – 27 October 2022

License Information

MIT License

Paclet Source

Source Metadata

  • Source: https://github.com/jasondbiggs/WeakCache

See Also