Automatic Reference Counting
Automatic Reference Counting (ARC) is a memory management technique used in programming languages like Swift and Objective-C to automatically track and manage the lifetime of objects. It works by inserting retain and release calls at compile-time based on object references, eliminating the need for manual memory management. This helps prevent common memory issues such as leaks and dangling pointers.
Developers should learn ARC when working with Swift or Objective-C, especially for iOS, macOS, watchOS, and tvOS app development, as it is the default memory management system in these environments. It simplifies code by automating memory handling, reducing bugs and improving performance in applications that involve complex object graphs, such as user interfaces or data models.