This is Objective-C Memory technique which holds number of counts which is handling by Object. i.e one object is holding how many reference are count value.
When we are allocating the memory for any object then automatically reference count is incremented by 1. Ex. NSString *stringObject=[NSString alloc]init]; means you allocating the memory for stringObject.
when we are releasing the memory then autometically reference count decrese by one (1).
Whenever one object reference count values is Zero(0) then it’s called object is free.
When we are using the “release” method then it will deallocate memory for the object and reference count also decrese by one (1).
When we are calling “retain” method then memory will deallocated for the object but reference count will not decrease.
When we are working with autoreleasepool object then always recommended to use “drain” method only because,”drain” method will call garbage collection system.
Garbage Collection is a automated process which will destroyed the application related memory when the application will terminated.
In place of creating object of type NSAutoreleasePool then always recommended to go for “@autoreleasepool” block.
@ autoreleasepool
{
//code beniffiting from a local autoreleasepool
}
In place of holding the reference count manually and deallocating by using “release” or “retain” it is recommended to go for ARC(Auto Reference Counting).
According to autorelease method whenever reference count value is zero then automatically object will be destroyed.
If we require to make enable ARC, then go for select Project File->Choose build setting and go to “APPLE LLVM Compiler 4.2- language” and choose Objective-C Auto Reference Count(ARC) YES or NO.