Delete object from memory in javascript

Question

I am working on an AJAX application with a lot of Javascript. All pages are loaded through AJAX.
On a certain page I have a grid which is build in Javascript. Now when I leave that page I want to destroy that grid. I call jQuery.remove() but this only deletes the object from the DOM.
My question is how can I delete this grid object from the memory? Cause it still exists when I move away from the page.

Much appreciated!

How do you know that this object still exists in memory after you navigate away from the page? — Darin Dimitrov
– Darin Dimitrov, Commented Feb 25, 2011 at 8:26
Do you store grid identifier in variable? If so then make gridVar = null; — CoolEsh
– CoolEsh, Commented Feb 25, 2011 at 8:26
It's completely up to the browser... I guess you assume it still exist in memory because the browser process memory usage is not decreasing? — user447356
– user447356, Commented Feb 25, 2011 at 8:28
When I open the firebug console I can see the object still exists. It's only deleted from the DOM. — Gerard
– Gerard, Commented Feb 25, 2011 at 10:21
firebug can't really tell what is in the memory and what isn't in the memory, I would look for more "reliable" tool if you're really into it. — user447356
– user447356, Commented Feb 27, 2011 at 8:52

krtek · Accepted Answer · 2011-02-25 08:34:32Z

7

If you delete all references to your grid (i.e. assign null to the variable), the garbage collector will delete the object from memory.

answered Feb 25, 2011 at 8:34

krtek

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2 Comments

Gerard Over a year ago

This would work if there is an actual unload event fired but because this is an all ajax app this is not happening.

Rob Over a year ago

An option could be to call an unload event everytime you navigate through your ajax application. This isn't a nice solution though..

Hoy Cheung · Accepted Answer · 2013-03-28 13:41:37Z

1

put the grid into a div or anything you want. when you want to delete it use

$("<the name of the div>").empty();

that will clear it.

answered Mar 28, 2013 at 13:41

Hoy Cheung

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