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, Feb 25 '11 at 08:26
Do you store grid identifier in variable? If so then make gridVar = null; — CoolEsh, Feb 25 '11 at 08:26
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? — Shadow The GPT Wizard, Feb 25 '11 at 08:28
When I open the firebug console I can see the object still exists. It's only deleted from the DOM. — Gerard, Feb 25 '11 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. — Shadow The GPT Wizard, Feb 27 '11 at 08:52

score 6 · Accepted Answer · answered Feb 25 '11 at 08:34

6

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 '11 at 08:34

krtek

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This would work if there is an actual unload event fired but because this is an all ajax app this is not happening. – Gerard Feb 25 '11 at 10:22
An option could be to call an unload event everytime you navigate through your ajax application. This isn't a nice solution though.. – Rob Feb 25 '11 at 10:37

score 1 · Answer 2 · answered Mar 28 '13 at 13:41

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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 '13 at 13:41

Hoy Cheung

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Delete object from memory in javascript

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