Reference counting and "new reference"

[annevk]

I understand the desire to give implementations advice on how to best manage memory for these objects, but I don't think that should translate into normative language. Especially as that normative language is what is already the case for the web platform.

If A holds a reference to B, that's a strong reference that cannot be collected. And if C now also holds a reference, B has two things pointing to it. And cannot be collected until either those references are cleared or A and C disappear.

I would therefore suggest:

• Turning most of the reference counting section into a note, to the extent you consider it worth keeping.

• Remove "A media resource MUST remain alive at least as long as it continues to be referenced by a [[resource reference]]." as that is already required.

• Change language of the form

  1. Let resource be the media resource referenced by data’s [[resource reference]].
  2. Let reference be a new reference to resource.
  3. Assign reference to [[resource reference]].

  to

  1. Set ???'s [[resource reference]] to data’s [[resource reference]].

(Currently it's not always clear what object the internal slot is from, that's the ??? above. I'd recommend spelling that out each time.)

[chcunningham]

Thanks @annevk, sounds good.