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= OpenSimulator Internals/Walkthroughs/Garbage Collection =

== Overview ==

Traces the two garbage collection mechanisms in OpenSimulator: temporary object cleanup (temp-on-rez objects expiring) and the periodic persistence/auto-return cycle (objects returned to owners for parcel violations). Also covers manual delete and the object persistence lifecycle.

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== 1. Temporary Object Cleanup ==

OpenSim/Region/Framework/Scenes/Scene.cs -- CleanTempObjects()

Temporary objects are those with PrimFlags.TemporaryOnRez set. They expire based on a per-object Expires timestamp.

=== Trigger ===

CleanTempObjects() is called from the main heartbeat loop every m_update_temp_cleaning frames (default 180 frames, approximately every 16 seconds at ~11fps).

Runs asynchronously via WorkManager.RunInThreadPool to avoid blocking the heartbeat.

=== Process ===

# Gets all entities from scene graph.
# For each SceneObjectGroup:
#* Checks IsDeleted.
#* Checks RootPart.Flags has PrimFlags.TemporaryOnRez.
#* Checks GetSittingAvatarsCount() == 0 -- does not expire objects with seated avatars.
#* Checks RootPart.Expires <= DateTime.UtcNow.
# If all conditions met: calls DeleteSceneObject(grp, false).

DeleteSceneObject():
* Removes script instances.
* Removes physics actors.
* Unlinks from scene graph.
* Fires EventManager.TriggerObjectBeingRemovedFromScene().
* Calls SimulationDataService.RemoveObject() -- removes from prims/primshapes/primitems tables.

; DB writes:
* prims -- DELETE
* primshapes -- DELETE
* primitems -- DELETE (task inventory)

Temporary objects are not saved to inventory. They simply disappear.

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== 2. Periodic Object Persistence ==

OpenSim/Region/Framework/Scenes/Scene.cs -- UpdateStorageBackup() → Backup()

The region periodically persists changed objects to the database.

=== Trigger ===

UpdateStorageBackup() called every m_update_backup frames (default 200 frames, approximately every 18 seconds). Runs async via WorkManager.RunInThreadPool. Protected by m_backingup flag -- skips if previous backup still running.

=== Process ===

Backup() fires EventManager.TriggerOnBackup(SimulationDataService, forced).

The SimulationDataService handler iterates all SceneObjectGroups. For each group with HasGroupChanged = true:

Persistence timing check (unless forced=true):
* Must have been changed for at least MinimumTimeBeforePersistenceConsidered (default 60 seconds).
* Must not have been unchanged for longer than MaximumTimeBeforePersistenceConsidered (default 600 seconds) -- forces persistence of long-unchanged objects.

If conditions met: calls group.ProcessBackup(SimulationDataService, forced).

ProcessBackup() calls SimulationDataService.StoreObject():
* For each part in the group: writes to prims and primshapes tables (INSERT or UPDATE).
* Writes task inventory to primitems table.
* Clears HasGroupChanged.

; DB writes:
* prims -- INSERT or UPDATE per changed prim
* primshapes -- INSERT or UPDATE
* primitems -- INSERT or UPDATE (task inventory)

=== Auto-Return Messages ===

Backup() also drains m_returns dictionary. For each returned object:
* Sends GridInstantMessage to the owner via IMessageTransferModule.
* Message: "Your object X was returned from parcel Y in region Z due to [reason]."

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== 3. Parcel Auto-Return ==

Objects left on parcels they don't belong to are returned automatically based on parcel OtherCleanTime setting.

=== Trigger ===

ILandObject.ReturnLandObjects() is called periodically by the land module. Objects exceeding the parcel's OtherCleanTime are queued for return.

=== Process ===

# LandModule identifies objects that have exceeded their allowed time on the parcel.
# Calls Scene.returnObjects() with the list.
# returnObjects() calls IInventoryAccessModule.CopyToInventory(DeRezAction.Return) for each owner group.
# CopyBundleToInventory() serialises objects, creates assets, inserts inventory items into owner's Lost and Found folder.
# Scene.AddReturn() queues the return notification.
# Scene.DeleteSceneObject() removes objects from scene and database.

; DB writes:
* assets -- INSERT: serialised object XML
* inventoryitems -- INSERT: item in Lost and Found
* prims/primshapes/primitems -- DELETE

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== 4. Object Persistence Lifecycle Summary ==

{| class="wikitable"
! State !! HasGroupChanged !! In DB !! Notes
|-
| Just rezzed || true || yes (immediately on AddNewSceneObject) || Immediately persisted on rez
|-
| Modified || true || stale || Queued for next backup cycle
|-
| Persisted || false || current || Written by Backup()
|-
| Temp-on-rez expired || -- || deleted || CleanTempObjects() removes
|-
| Deleted by avatar || -- || deleted || DeleteSceneObject() removes immediately
|-
| Returned || -- || deleted || CopyToInventory + DeleteSceneObject
|}

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== 5. Shutdown Persistence ==

On Scene.Close():
* Calls Backup(true) with forced=true.
* All objects with HasGroupChanged = true are persisted regardless of timing.
* Ensures no changes are lost on clean shutdown.

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== See Also ==

* [[OpenSimulator Internals/Walkthroughs]]
* [[OpenSimulator Internals/Code Map/Scene]]
* [[OpenSimulator Internals/Code Map/InventoryAccessModule]]
* [[OpenSimulator Internals/Walkthroughs/Avatar Removes From Inventory]]
* [[OpenSimulator Internals/Walkthroughs/Avatar Derezzes Object]]

OpenSimulator Internals/Walkthroughs/Garbage Collection - Revision history

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