]> git.sesse.net Git - vlc/blobdiff - src/misc/objects.c
Less memleaks in Qt interface.
[vlc] / src / misc / objects.c
index de29859275f5f2bcb0aa6e496558345c0826f8d0..96214c14d0710889a451e8df0252bc433da03894 100644 (file)
@@ -2,7 +2,6 @@
  * objects.c: vlc_object_t handling
  *****************************************************************************
  * Copyright (C) 2004-2008 the VideoLAN team
- * $Id$
  *
  * Authors: Samuel Hocevar <sam@zoy.org>
  *
@@ -34,7 +33,7 @@
 # include "config.h"
 #endif
 
-#include <vlc/vlc.h>
+#include <vlc_common.h>
 
 #include "../libvlc.h"
 #include <vlc_vout.h>
 #endif
 #include <assert.h>
 
-/*****************************************************************************
- * Constants
- *****************************************************************************/
-
-const vlc_destructor_t kVLCDestructor = NULL;
-
 /*****************************************************************************
  * Local prototypes
  *****************************************************************************/
@@ -76,11 +69,8 @@ static int  DumpCommand( vlc_object_t *, char const *,
 
 static vlc_object_t * FindObject    ( vlc_object_t *, int, int );
 static vlc_object_t * FindObjectName( vlc_object_t *, const char *, int );
-static void           DetachObject  ( vlc_object_t * );
 static void           PrintObject   ( vlc_object_t *, const char * );
 static void           DumpStructure ( vlc_object_t *, int, char * );
-static int            FindIndex     ( vlc_object_t *, vlc_object_t **, int );
-static void           SetAttachment ( vlc_object_t *, vlc_bool_t );
 
 static vlc_list_t   * NewList       ( int );
 static void           ListReplace   ( vlc_list_t *, vlc_object_t *, int );
@@ -89,15 +79,25 @@ static int            CountChildren ( vlc_object_t *, int );
 static void           ListChildren  ( vlc_list_t *, vlc_object_t *, int );
 
 static void vlc_object_destroy( vlc_object_t *p_this );
-static void vlc_object_yield_locked( vlc_object_t *p_this );
+static void vlc_object_detach_unlocked (vlc_object_t *p_this);
+
+#ifdef LIBVLC_REFCHECK
+static vlc_threadvar_t held_objects;
+typedef struct held_list_t
+{
+    struct held_list_t *next;
+    vlc_object_t *obj;
+} held_list_t;
+static void held_objects_destroy (void *);
+#endif
 
 /*****************************************************************************
  * Local structure lock
  *****************************************************************************/
-static vlc_mutex_t    structure_lock;
+static vlc_mutex_t     structure_lock;
 
-void *vlc_custom_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, size_t i_size,
-                         int i_type, const char *psz_type )
+void *__vlc_custom_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, size_t i_size,
+                           int i_type, const char *psz_type )
 {
     vlc_object_t *p_new;
     vlc_object_internals_t *p_priv;
@@ -115,30 +115,23 @@ void *vlc_custom_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, size_t i_size,
     if( p_priv == NULL )
         return NULL;
 
-    if( i_type == VLC_OBJECT_GLOBAL )
-        p_new = p_this;
-    else
-    {
-        assert (i_size >= sizeof (vlc_object_t));
-        p_new = (vlc_object_t *)(p_priv + 1);
-    }
+    assert (i_size >= sizeof (vlc_object_t));
+    p_new = (vlc_object_t *)(p_priv + 1);
 
-    p_new->p_internals = p_priv;
     p_new->i_object_type = i_type;
     p_new->psz_object_type = psz_type;
-
     p_new->psz_object_name = NULL;
 
-    p_new->b_die = VLC_FALSE;
-    p_new->b_error = VLC_FALSE;
-    p_new->b_dead = VLC_FALSE;
-    p_priv->b_attached = VLC_FALSE;
-    p_new->b_force = VLC_FALSE;
+    p_new->b_die = false;
+    p_new->b_error = false;
+    p_new->b_dead = false;
+    p_new->b_force = false;
 
     p_new->psz_header = NULL;
 
-    p_new->i_flags |= p_this->i_flags
-        & (OBJECT_FLAGS_NODBG|OBJECT_FLAGS_QUIET|OBJECT_FLAGS_NOINTERACT);
+    if (p_this)
+        p_new->i_flags = p_this->i_flags
+            & (OBJECT_FLAGS_NODBG|OBJECT_FLAGS_QUIET|OBJECT_FLAGS_NOINTERACT);
 
     p_priv->p_vars = calloc( sizeof( variable_t ), 16 );
 
@@ -148,63 +141,62 @@ void *vlc_custom_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, size_t i_size,
         return NULL;
     }
 
-    if( i_type == VLC_OBJECT_GLOBAL )
+    libvlc_global_data_t *p_libvlc_global;
+    if( p_this == NULL )
     {
-        /* If i_type is global, then p_new is actually p_libvlc_global */
-        libvlc_global_data_t *p_libvlc_global = (libvlc_global_data_t *)p_new;
+        /* Only the global root object is created out of the blue */
+        p_libvlc_global = (libvlc_global_data_t *)p_new;
         p_new->p_libvlc = NULL;
 
         p_libvlc_global->i_counter = 0;
-        p_new->i_object_id = 0;
-
-        p_libvlc_global->i_objects = 1;
-        p_libvlc_global->pp_objects = malloc( sizeof(vlc_object_t *) );
-        p_libvlc_global->pp_objects[0] = p_new;
-        p_priv->b_attached = VLC_TRUE;
-        vlc_mutex_init( p_new, &structure_lock );
+        p_priv->next = p_priv->prev = p_new;
+        vlc_mutex_init( &structure_lock );
+#ifdef LIBVLC_REFCHECK
+        /* TODO: use the destruction callback to track ref leaks */
+        vlc_threadvar_create( &held_objects, held_objects_destroy );
+#endif
     }
     else
     {
-        libvlc_global_data_t *p_libvlc_global = vlc_global();
+        p_libvlc_global = vlc_global();
         if( i_type == VLC_OBJECT_LIBVLC )
-        {
             p_new->p_libvlc = (libvlc_int_t*)p_new;
-            p_priv->b_attached = VLC_TRUE;
-        }
         else
-        {
             p_new->p_libvlc = p_this->p_libvlc;
-        }
-
-        vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
-
-        p_libvlc_global->i_counter++;
-        p_new->i_object_id = p_libvlc_global->i_counter;
-
-        /* Wooohaa! If *this* fails, we're in serious trouble! Anyway it's
-         * useless to try and recover anything if pp_objects gets smashed. */
-        TAB_APPEND( p_libvlc_global->i_objects, p_libvlc_global->pp_objects,
-                    p_new );
-
-        vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
     }
 
+    vlc_spin_init( &p_priv->ref_spin );
     p_priv->i_refcount = 1;
-    p_priv->pf_destructor = kVLCDestructor;
-    p_priv->b_thread = VLC_FALSE;
+    p_priv->pf_destructor = NULL;
+    p_priv->b_thread = false;
     p_new->p_parent = NULL;
-    p_new->pp_children = NULL;
-    p_new->i_children = 0;
+    p_priv->pp_children = NULL;
+    p_priv->i_children = 0;
 
     p_new->p_private = NULL;
 
     /* Initialize mutexes and condvars */
-    vlc_mutex_init( p_new, &p_new->object_lock );
-    vlc_cond_init( p_new, &p_new->object_wait );
-    vlc_mutex_init( p_new, &p_priv->var_lock );
+    vlc_mutex_init( &p_priv->lock );
+    vlc_cond_init( p_new, &p_priv->wait );
+    vlc_mutex_init( &p_priv->var_lock );
     vlc_spin_init( &p_priv->spin );
     p_priv->pipes[0] = p_priv->pipes[1] = -1;
 
+    p_priv->next = VLC_OBJECT (p_libvlc_global);
+#if !defined (LIBVLC_REFCHECK)
+    /* ... */
+#elif defined (LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD)
+    p_priv->creator_id = pthread_self ();
+#elif defined (WIN32)
+    p_priv->creator_id = GetCurrentThreadId ();
+#endif
+    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
+    p_priv->prev = vlc_internals (p_libvlc_global)->prev;
+    vlc_internals (p_libvlc_global)->prev = p_new;
+    vlc_internals (p_priv->prev)->next = p_new;
+    p_new->i_object_id = p_libvlc_global->i_counter++;
+    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
+
     if( i_type == VLC_OBJECT_LIBVLC )
     {
         var_Create( p_new, "list", VLC_VAR_STRING | VLC_VAR_ISCOMMAND );
@@ -234,26 +226,10 @@ void * __vlc_object_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type )
 
     switch( i_type )
     {
-        case VLC_OBJECT_LIBVLC:
-            i_size = sizeof(libvlc_int_t);
-            psz_type = "libvlc";
-            break;
         case VLC_OBJECT_INTF:
             i_size = sizeof(intf_thread_t);
             psz_type = "interface";
             break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_DIALOGS:
-            i_size = sizeof(intf_thread_t);
-            psz_type = "dialogs";
-            break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_DEMUX:
-            i_size = sizeof(demux_t);
-            psz_type = "demux";
-            break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_ACCESS:
-            i_size = sizeof(access_t);
-            psz_type = "access";
-            break;
         case VLC_OBJECT_DECODER:
             i_size = sizeof(decoder_t);
             psz_type = "decoder";
@@ -266,22 +242,10 @@ void * __vlc_object_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type )
             i_size = sizeof(encoder_t);
             psz_type = "encoder";
             break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_FILTER:
-            i_size = sizeof(filter_t);
-            psz_type = "filter";
-            break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_VOUT:
-            i_size = sizeof(vout_thread_t);
-            psz_type = "video output";
-            break;
         case VLC_OBJECT_AOUT:
             i_size = sizeof(aout_instance_t);
             psz_type = "audio output";
             break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_SOUT:
-            i_size = sizeof(sout_instance_t);
-            psz_type = "stream output";
-            break;
         case VLC_OBJECT_OPENGL:
             i_size = sizeof( vout_thread_t );
             psz_type = "opengl";
@@ -290,13 +254,9 @@ void * __vlc_object_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type )
             i_size = sizeof( announce_handler_t );
             psz_type = "announce";
             break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_INTERACTION:
-            i_size = sizeof( interaction_t );
-            psz_type = "interaction";
-            break;
         default:
-            i_size = i_type > (int)sizeof(vlc_object_t)
-                         ? i_type : (int)sizeof(vlc_object_t);
+            assert( i_type > 0 ); /* unknown type?! */
+            i_size = i_type;
             i_type = VLC_OBJECT_GENERIC;
             psz_type = "generic";
             break;
@@ -318,10 +278,7 @@ void __vlc_object_set_destructor( vlc_object_t *p_this,
                                   vlc_destructor_t pf_destructor )
 {
     vlc_object_internals_t *p_priv = vlc_internals(p_this );
-
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
     p_priv->pf_destructor = pf_destructor;
-    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
 }
 
 /**
@@ -336,46 +293,25 @@ static void vlc_object_destroy( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
     vlc_object_internals_t *p_priv = vlc_internals( p_this );
 
-    /* Automatically detach the object from its parents */
-    if( p_this->p_parent ) vlc_object_detach( p_this );
-
+    /* Objects are always detached beforehand */
+    assert( !p_this->p_parent );
 
     /* Send a kill to the object's thread if applicable */
     vlc_object_kill( p_this );
 
     /* If we are running on a thread, wait until it ends */
     if( p_priv->b_thread )
+    {
+        msg_Warn (p_this->p_libvlc, /* do NOT use a dead object for logging! */
+                  "%s %d destroyed while thread alive (VLC might crash)",
+                  p_this->psz_object_type, p_this->i_object_id);
         vlc_thread_join( p_this );
+    }
 
     /* Call the custom "subclass" destructor */
     if( p_priv->pf_destructor )
         p_priv->pf_destructor( p_this );
 
-    /* Sanity checks */
-    if( p_this->i_children )
-    {
-        int i;
-
-        fprintf( stderr,
-                 "ERROR: cannot delete object (%i, %s) with %d children\n",
-                 p_this->i_object_id, p_this->psz_object_name,
-                 p_this->i_children );
-
-        for( i = 0; i < p_this->i_children; i++ )
-        {
-            fprintf( stderr,
-                     "ERROR: Remaining children object "
-                     "(id:%i, type:%s, name:%s)\n",
-                     p_this->pp_children[i]->i_object_id,
-                     p_this->pp_children[i]->psz_object_type,
-                     p_this->pp_children[i]->psz_object_name );
-        }
-        fflush(stderr);
-        /* Dump libvlc object to ease debugging */
-        vlc_object_dump( p_this->p_libvlc );
-        abort();
-    }
-
     /* Destroy the associated variables, starting from the end so that
      * no memmove calls have to be done. */
     while( p_priv->i_vars )
@@ -388,43 +324,56 @@ static void vlc_object_destroy( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 
     free( p_this->psz_header );
 
-    if( p_this->i_object_type == VLC_OBJECT_GLOBAL )
+    if( p_this->p_libvlc == NULL )
     {
+#ifndef NDEBUG
         libvlc_global_data_t *p_global = (libvlc_global_data_t *)p_this;
 
+        assert( p_global == vlc_global() );
         /* Test for leaks */
-        if( p_global->i_objects > 0 )
+        if (p_priv->next != p_this)
         {
-            int i;
-            for( i = 0; i < p_global->i_objects; i++ )
+            vlc_object_t *leaked = p_priv->next, *first = leaked;
+            do
             {
                 /* We are leaking this object */
                 fprintf( stderr,
                          "ERROR: leaking object (id:%i, type:%s, name:%s)\n",
-                         p_global->pp_objects[i]->i_object_id,
-                         p_global->pp_objects[i]->psz_object_type,
-                         p_global->pp_objects[i]->psz_object_name );
+                         leaked->i_object_id, leaked->psz_object_type,
+                         leaked->psz_object_name );
+                /* Dump libvlc object to ease debugging */
+                vlc_object_dump( leaked );
                 fflush(stderr);
+                leaked = vlc_internals (leaked)->next;
             }
+            while (leaked != first);
+
+            /* Dump global object to ease debugging */
+            vlc_object_dump( p_this );
             /* Strongly abort, cause we want these to be fixed */
             abort();
         }
+#endif
 
         /* We are the global object ... no need to lock. */
-        free( p_global->pp_objects );
-        p_global->pp_objects = NULL;
-
         vlc_mutex_destroy( &structure_lock );
+#ifdef LIBVLC_REFCHECK
+        held_objects_destroy( vlc_threadvar_get( &held_objects ) );
+        vlc_threadvar_delete( &held_objects );
+#endif
     }
 
+    FREENULL( p_this->psz_object_name );
+
 #if defined(WIN32) || defined(UNDER_CE)
     /* if object has an associated thread, close it now */
-    if( p_priv->thread_id.hThread )
-       CloseHandle(p_priv->thread_id.hThread);
+    if( p_priv->thread_id )
+       CloseHandle(p_priv->thread_id);
 #endif
 
-    vlc_mutex_destroy( &p_this->object_lock );
-    vlc_cond_destroy( &p_this->object_wait );
+    vlc_spin_destroy( &p_priv->ref_spin );
+    vlc_mutex_destroy( &p_priv->lock );
+    vlc_cond_destroy( &p_priv->wait );
     vlc_spin_destroy( &p_priv->spin );
     if( p_priv->pipes[1] != -1 )
         close( p_priv->pipes[1] );
@@ -439,13 +388,13 @@ static void vlc_object_destroy( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 
 void __vlc_object_lock( vlc_object_t *obj )
 {
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &obj->object_lock );
+    vlc_mutex_lock( &(vlc_internals(obj)->lock) );
 }
 
 void __vlc_object_unlock( vlc_object_t *obj )
 {
-    vlc_assert_locked( &obj->object_lock );
-    vlc_mutex_unlock( &obj->object_lock );
+    vlc_assert_locked( &(vlc_internals(obj)->lock) );
+    vlc_mutex_unlock( &(vlc_internals(obj)->lock) );
 }
 
 #ifdef WIN32
@@ -516,8 +465,8 @@ error:
 int __vlc_object_waitpipe( vlc_object_t *obj )
 {
     int pfd[2] = { -1, -1 };
-    struct vlc_object_internals_t *internals = obj->p_internals;
-    vlc_bool_t killed = VLC_FALSE;
+    vlc_object_internals_t *internals = vlc_internals( obj );
+    bool killed = false;
 
     vlc_spin_lock (&internals->spin);
     if (internals->pipes[0] == -1)
@@ -567,78 +516,47 @@ int __vlc_object_waitpipe( vlc_object_t *obj )
 
 /**
  * Waits for the object to be signaled (using vlc_object_signal()).
- * If the object already has a signal pending, this function will return
- * immediately. It is asserted that the caller holds the object lock.
+ * It is assumed that the caller has locked the object. This function will
+ * unlock the object, and lock it again before returning.
+ * If the object was signaled before the caller locked the object, it is
+ * undefined whether the signal will be lost or will wake the process.
  *
  * @return true if the object is dying and should terminate.
  */
-vlc_bool_t __vlc_object_wait( vlc_object_t *obj )
+void __vlc_object_wait( vlc_object_t *obj )
 {
-    vlc_assert_locked( &obj->object_lock );
-    vlc_cond_wait( &obj->object_wait, &obj->object_lock );
-    return obj->b_die;
+    vlc_object_internals_t *priv = vlc_internals( obj );
+    vlc_assert_locked( &priv->lock);
+    vlc_cond_wait( &priv->wait, &priv->lock );
 }
 
 
 /**
  * Waits for the object to be signaled (using vlc_object_signal()), or for
- * a timer to expire.
- * If the object already has a signal pending, this function will return
- * immediately. It is asserted that the caller holds the object lock.
+ * a timer to expire. It is asserted that the caller holds the object lock.
  *
- * @return negative if the object is dying and should terminate,
- * positive if the the object has been signaled but is not dying,
- * 0 if timeout has been reached.
+ * @return 0 if the object was signaled before the timer expiration, or
+ * ETIMEDOUT if the timer expired without any signal.
  */
 int __vlc_object_timedwait( vlc_object_t *obj, mtime_t deadline )
 {
-    int v;
-
-    vlc_assert_locked( &obj->object_lock );
-    v = vlc_cond_timedwait( &obj->object_wait, &obj->object_lock, deadline );
-    if( v == 0 ) /* signaled */
-        return obj->b_die ? -1 : 1;
-    return 0;
-}
-
-
-/**
- * Checks whether an object has been "killed".
- * The object lock must be held.
- *
- * Typical code for an object thread could be:
- *
-   vlc_object_lock (self);
-   ...initialization...
-   while (vlc_object_alive (self))
-   {
-       ...preprocessing...
-
-       if (vlc_object_wait (self))
-           continue;
-
-       ...postprocessing...
-   }
-   ...deinitialization...
-   vlc_object_unlock (self);
- *
- *
- * @return true iff the object has not been killed yet
- */
-vlc_bool_t __vlc_object_alive( vlc_object_t *obj )
-{
-    vlc_assert_locked( &obj->object_lock );
-    return !obj->b_die;
+    vlc_object_internals_t *priv = vlc_internals( obj );
+    vlc_assert_locked( &priv->lock);
+    return vlc_cond_timedwait( &priv->wait, &priv->lock, deadline );
 }
 
 
 /**
  * Signals an object for which the lock is held.
+ * At least one thread currently sleeping in vlc_object_wait() or
+ * vlc_object_timedwait() will wake up, assuming that there is at least one
+ * such thread in the first place. Otherwise, it is undefined whether the
+ * signal will be lost or will wake up one or more thread later.
  */
 void __vlc_object_signal_unlocked( vlc_object_t *obj )
 {
-    vlc_assert_locked (&obj->object_lock);
-    vlc_cond_signal( &obj->object_wait );
+    vlc_assert_locked (&(vlc_internals(obj)->lock));
+    vlc_cond_signal( &(vlc_internals(obj)->wait) );
 }
 
 
@@ -648,16 +566,16 @@ void __vlc_object_signal_unlocked( vlc_object_t *obj )
  */
 void __vlc_object_kill( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
-    struct vlc_object_internals_t *internals = p_this->p_internals;
+    vlc_object_internals_t *priv = vlc_internals( p_this );
     int fd;
 
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &p_this->object_lock );
-    p_this->b_die = VLC_TRUE;
+    vlc_object_lock( p_this );
+    p_this->b_die = true;
 
-    vlc_spin_lock (&internals->spin);
-    fd = internals->pipes[1];
-    internals->pipes[1] = -1;
-    vlc_spin_unlock (&internals->spin);
+    vlc_spin_lock (&priv->spin);
+    fd = priv->pipes[1];
+    priv->pipes[1] = -1;
+    vlc_spin_unlock (&priv->spin);
 
     if( fd != -1 )
     {
@@ -665,77 +583,56 @@ void __vlc_object_kill( vlc_object_t *p_this )
         close (fd);
     }
 
-    if( p_this->i_object_type == VLC_OBJECT_LIBVLC )
-        for( int i = 0; i < p_this->i_children ; i++ )
-            vlc_object_kill( p_this->pp_children[i] );
-
     vlc_object_signal_unlocked( p_this );
-    vlc_mutex_unlock( &p_this->object_lock );
+    /* This also serves as a memory barrier toward vlc_object_alive(): */
+    vlc_object_unlock( p_this );
 }
 
 
 /**
- * find an object given its ID
+ * Find an object given its ID.
  *
- * This function looks for the object whose i_object_id field is i_id. We
- * use a dichotomy so that lookups are in log2(n).
- *****************************************************************************/
+ * This function looks for the object whose i_object_id field is i_id.
+ * This function is slow, and often used to hide bugs. Do not use it.
+ * If you need to retain reference to an object, yield the object pointer with
+ * vlc_object_yield(), use the pointer as your reference, and call
+ * vlc_object_release() when you're done.
+ */
 void * vlc_object_get( int i_id )
 {
-    int i_max, i_middle;
-    vlc_object_t **pp_objects;
     libvlc_global_data_t *p_libvlc_global = vlc_global();
+    vlc_object_t *obj = NULL;
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+    vlc_object_t *caller = vlc_threadobj ();
 
+    if (caller)
+        msg_Dbg (caller, "uses deprecated vlc_object_get(%d)", i_id);
+    else
+        fprintf (stderr, "main thread uses deprecated vlc_object_get(%d)\n",
+                 i_id);
+#endif
     vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
 
-    pp_objects = p_libvlc_global->pp_objects;
-
-    /* Perform our dichotomy */
-    for( i_max = p_libvlc_global->i_objects - 1 ; ; )
+    for( obj = vlc_internals (p_libvlc_global)->next;
+         obj != VLC_OBJECT (p_libvlc_global);
+         obj = vlc_internals (obj)->next )
     {
-        i_middle = i_max / 2;
-
-        if( pp_objects[i_middle]->i_object_id > i_id )
+        if( obj->i_object_id == i_id )
         {
-            i_max = i_middle;
-        }
-        else if( pp_objects[i_middle]->i_object_id < i_id )
-        {
-            if( i_middle )
-            {
-                pp_objects += i_middle;
-                i_max -= i_middle;
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                /* This happens when there are only two remaining objects */
-                if( pp_objects[i_middle+1]->i_object_id == i_id
-                    && pp_objects[i_middle+1]->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 )
-                {
-                    vlc_object_yield_locked( pp_objects[i_middle+1] );
-                    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-                    return pp_objects[i_middle+1];
-                }
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-        else if( pp_objects[i_middle]->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 )
-        {
-            vlc_object_yield_locked( pp_objects[i_middle] );
-            vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-            return pp_objects[i_middle];
-        }
-
-        if( i_max == 0 )
-        {
-            /* this means that i_max == i_middle, and since we have already
-             * tested pp_objects[i_middle]), p_found is properly set. */
-            break;
+            vlc_object_yield( obj );
+            goto out;
         }
     }
-
+    obj = NULL;
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+    if (caller)
+        msg_Warn (caller, "wants non-existing object %d", i_id);
+    else
+        fprintf (stderr, "main thread wants non-existing object %d\n", i_id);
+#endif
+out:
     vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-    return NULL;
+    return obj;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -749,43 +646,28 @@ void * __vlc_object_find( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type, int i_mode )
 {
     vlc_object_t *p_found;
 
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
-
     /* If we are of the requested type ourselves, don't look further */
-    if( !(i_mode & FIND_STRICT) && p_this->i_object_type == i_type
-        && p_this->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 )
+    if( !(i_mode & FIND_STRICT) && p_this->i_object_type == i_type )
     {
-        vlc_object_yield_locked( p_this );
-        vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
+        vlc_object_yield( p_this );
         return p_this;
     }
 
     /* Otherwise, recursively look for the object */
-    if( (i_mode & 0x000f) == FIND_ANYWHERE )
+    if ((i_mode & 0x000f) == FIND_ANYWHERE)
     {
-        vlc_object_t *p_root = p_this;
-
-        /* Find the root */
-        while( p_root->p_parent != NULL &&
-               p_root != VLC_OBJECT( p_this->p_libvlc ) )
-        {
-            p_root = p_root->p_parent;
-        }
-
-        p_found = FindObject( p_root, i_type, (i_mode & ~0x000f)|FIND_CHILD );
-        if( p_found == NULL && p_root != VLC_OBJECT( p_this->p_libvlc ) )
-        {
-            p_found = FindObject( VLC_OBJECT( p_this->p_libvlc ),
-                                  i_type, (i_mode & ~0x000f)|FIND_CHILD );
-        }
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        p_found = FindObject( p_this, i_type, i_mode );
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+        if (i_type == VLC_OBJECT_PLAYLIST)
+           msg_Err (p_this, "using vlc_object_find(VLC_OBJECT_PLAYLIST) "
+                     "instead of pl_Yield()");
+#endif
+        return vlc_object_find (p_this->p_libvlc, i_type,
+                                (i_mode & ~0x000f)|FIND_CHILD);
     }
 
+    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
+    p_found = FindObject( p_this, i_type, i_mode );
     vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-
     return p_found;
 }
 
@@ -801,22 +683,17 @@ void * __vlc_object_find_name( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char *psz_name,
 {
     vlc_object_t *p_found;
 
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
-
-    /* Avoid obvious freed object uses */
-    assert( p_this->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 );
-
     /* If have the requested name ourselves, don't look further */
     if( !(i_mode & FIND_STRICT)
         && p_this->psz_object_name
-        && !strcmp( p_this->psz_object_name, psz_name )
-        && p_this->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 )
+        && !strcmp( p_this->psz_object_name, psz_name ) )
     {
-        vlc_object_yield_locked( p_this );
-        vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
+        vlc_object_yield( p_this );
         return p_this;
     }
 
+    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
+
     /* Otherwise, recursively look for the object */
     if( (i_mode & 0x000f) == FIND_ANYWHERE )
     {
@@ -848,64 +725,105 @@ void * __vlc_object_find_name( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char *psz_name,
 }
 
 /**
- ****************************************************************************
- * increment an object refcount
- *****************************************************************************/
-
-/* When the structure_lock is locked */
-static void vlc_object_yield_locked( vlc_object_t *p_this )
+ * Increment an object reference counter.
+ */
+void __vlc_object_yield( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
-    vlc_assert_locked (&structure_lock);
+    vlc_object_internals_t *internals = vlc_internals( p_this );
 
+    vlc_spin_lock( &internals->ref_spin );
     /* Avoid obvious freed object uses */
-    assert( p_this->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 );
-
+    assert( internals->i_refcount > 0 );
     /* Increment the counter */
-    p_this->p_internals->i_refcount++;
-}
-
-/* Public function */
-void __vlc_object_yield( vlc_object_t *p_this )
-{
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
-    vlc_object_yield_locked( p_this );
-    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
+    internals->i_refcount++;
+    vlc_spin_unlock( &internals->ref_spin );
+#ifdef LIBVLC_REFCHECK
+    /* Update the list of referenced objects */
+    /* Using TLS, so no need to lock */
+    /* The following line may leak memory if a thread leaks objects. */
+    held_list_t *newhead = malloc (sizeof (*newhead));
+    held_list_t *oldhead = vlc_threadvar_get (&held_objects);
+    newhead->next = oldhead;
+    newhead->obj = p_this;
+    vlc_threadvar_set (&held_objects, newhead);
+#endif
 }
 
-
 /*****************************************************************************
  * decrement an object refcount
  * And destroy the object if its refcount reach zero.
  *****************************************************************************/
 void __vlc_object_release( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
-    vlc_bool_t b_should_destroy;
+    vlc_object_internals_t *internals = vlc_internals( p_this );
+    bool b_should_destroy;
+
+#ifdef LIBVLC_REFCHECK
+    /* Update the list of referenced objects */
+    /* Using TLS, so no need to lock */
+    for (held_list_t *hlcur = vlc_threadvar_get (&held_objects),
+                     *hlprev = NULL;
+         hlcur != NULL;
+         hlprev = hlcur, hlcur = hlcur->next)
+    {
+        if (hlcur->obj == p_this)
+        {
+            if (hlprev == NULL)
+                vlc_threadvar_set (&held_objects, hlcur->next);
+            else
+                hlprev->next = hlcur->next;
+            free (hlcur);
+            break;
+        }
+    }
+    /* TODO: what if releasing without references? */
+#endif
 
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
+    vlc_spin_lock( &internals->ref_spin );
+    assert( internals->i_refcount > 0 );
+
+    if( internals->i_refcount > 1 )
+    {
+        /* Fast path */
+        /* There are still other references to the object */
+        internals->i_refcount--;
+        vlc_spin_unlock( &internals->ref_spin );
+        return;
+    }
+    vlc_spin_unlock( &internals->ref_spin );
 
-    assert( p_this->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 );
-    p_this->p_internals->i_refcount--;
-    b_should_destroy = (p_this->p_internals->i_refcount == 0);
+    /* Slow path */
+    /* Remember that we cannot hold the spin while waiting on the mutex */
+    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
+    /* Take the spin again. Note that another thread may have yielded the
+     * object in the (very short) mean time. */
+    vlc_spin_lock( &internals->ref_spin );
+    b_should_destroy = --internals->i_refcount == 0;
+    vlc_spin_unlock( &internals->ref_spin );
 
     if( b_should_destroy )
     {
-        /* Make sure this object can't be obtained via vlc_find_object now that
-         * it is freed */
-        libvlc_global_data_t *p_libvlc_global = vlc_global();
-        int i_index;
-
-        /* Wooohaa! If *this* fails, we're in serious trouble! Anyway it's
-         * useless to try and recover anything if pp_objects gets smashed. */
-        i_index = FindIndex( p_this, p_libvlc_global->pp_objects,
-                             p_libvlc_global->i_objects );
-        REMOVE_ELEM( p_libvlc_global->pp_objects,
-                     p_libvlc_global->i_objects, i_index );
+        /* Remove the object from object list
+         * so that it cannot be encountered by vlc_object_get() */
+        vlc_internals (internals->next)->prev = internals->prev;
+        vlc_internals (internals->prev)->next = internals->next;
+
+        /* Detach from parent to protect against FIND_CHILDREN */
+        vlc_object_detach_unlocked (p_this);
+        /* Detach from children to protect against FIND_PARENT */
+        for (int i = 0; i < internals->i_children; i++)
+            internals->pp_children[i]->p_parent = NULL;
     }
 
     vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
 
     if( b_should_destroy )
+    {
+        free( internals->pp_children );
+        internals->pp_children = NULL;
+        internals->i_children = 0;
         vlc_object_destroy( p_this );
+    }
 }
 
 /**
@@ -921,25 +839,58 @@ void __vlc_object_attach( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_object_t *p_parent )
 
     vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
 
-    /* Avoid obvious freed object uses */
-    assert( p_this->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 );
-
     /* Attach the parent to its child */
+    assert (!p_this->p_parent);
     p_this->p_parent = p_parent;
 
     /* Attach the child to its parent */
-    INSERT_ELEM( p_parent->pp_children, p_parent->i_children,
-                 p_parent->i_children, p_this );
+    vlc_object_internals_t *priv = vlc_internals( p_parent );
+    INSERT_ELEM( priv->pp_children, priv->i_children, priv->i_children,
+                 p_this );
+
+    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
+}
+
+
+static void vlc_object_detach_unlocked (vlc_object_t *p_this)
+{
+    vlc_assert_locked (&structure_lock);
+
+    if (p_this->p_parent == NULL)
+        return;
+
+    vlc_object_internals_t *priv = vlc_internals( p_this->p_parent );
+
+    int i_index, i;
 
-    /* Climb up the tree to see whether we are connected with the root */
-    if( p_parent->p_internals->b_attached )
+    /* Remove p_this's parent */
+    p_this->p_parent = NULL;
+
+    /* Remove all of p_parent's children which are p_this */
+    for( i_index = priv->i_children ; i_index-- ; )
     {
-        SetAttachment( p_this, VLC_TRUE );
+        if( priv->pp_children[i_index] == p_this )
+        {
+            priv->i_children--;
+            for( i = i_index ; i < priv->i_children ; i++ )
+                priv->pp_children[i] = priv->pp_children[i+1];
+        }
     }
 
-    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
+    if( priv->i_children )
+    {
+        priv->pp_children = (vlc_object_t **)realloc( priv->pp_children,
+                               priv->i_children * sizeof(vlc_object_t *) );
+    }
+    else
+    {
+        /* Special case - don't realloc() to zero to avoid leaking */
+        free( priv->pp_children );
+        priv->pp_children = NULL;
+    }
 }
 
+
 /**
  ****************************************************************************
  * detach object from its parent
@@ -951,25 +902,14 @@ void __vlc_object_detach( vlc_object_t *p_this )
     if( !p_this ) return;
 
     vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
-
     if( !p_this->p_parent )
-    {
         msg_Err( p_this, "object is not attached" );
-        vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-        return;
-    }
-
-    /* Climb up the tree to see whether we are connected with the root */
-    if( p_this->p_parent->p_internals->b_attached )
-    {
-        SetAttachment( p_this, VLC_FALSE );
-    }
-
-    DetachObject( p_this );
+    else
+        vlc_object_detach_unlocked( p_this );
     vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-    p_this = NULL;
 }
 
+
 /**
  ****************************************************************************
  * find a list typed objects and increment their refcount
@@ -980,49 +920,29 @@ void __vlc_object_detach( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 vlc_list_t * __vlc_list_find( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type, int i_mode )
 {
     vlc_list_t *p_list;
-    vlc_object_t **pp_current, **pp_end;
-    int i_count = 0, i_index = 0;
-    libvlc_global_data_t *p_libvlc_global = vlc_global();
-
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
+    int i_count = 0;
 
     /* Look for the objects */
     switch( i_mode & 0x000f )
     {
     case FIND_ANYWHERE:
-        pp_current = p_libvlc_global->pp_objects;
-        pp_end = pp_current + p_libvlc_global->i_objects;
-
-        for( ; pp_current < pp_end ; pp_current++ )
-        {
-            if( (*pp_current)->p_internals->b_attached
-                 && (*pp_current)->i_object_type == i_type )
-            {
-                i_count++;
-            }
-        }
-
-        p_list = NewList( i_count );
-        pp_current = p_libvlc_global->pp_objects;
-
-        for( ; pp_current < pp_end ; pp_current++ )
-        {
-            if( (*pp_current)->p_internals->b_attached
-                 && (*pp_current)->i_object_type == i_type )
-            {
-                ListReplace( p_list, *pp_current, i_index );
-                if( i_index < i_count ) i_index++;
-            }
-        }
-    break;
+        /* Modules should probably not be object, and the module should perhaps
+         * not be shared across LibVLC instances. In the mean time, this ugly
+         * hack is brought to you by Courmisch. */
+        if (i_type == VLC_OBJECT_MODULE)
+            return vlc_list_find ((vlc_object_t *)vlc_global ()->p_module_bank,
+                                  i_type, FIND_CHILD);
+        return vlc_list_find (p_this->p_libvlc, i_type, FIND_CHILD);
 
     case FIND_CHILD:
+        vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
         i_count = CountChildren( p_this, i_type );
         p_list = NewList( i_count );
 
         /* Check allocation was successful */
         if( p_list->i_count != i_count )
         {
+            vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
             msg_Err( p_this, "list allocation failed!" );
             p_list->i_count = 0;
             break;
@@ -1030,6 +950,7 @@ vlc_list_t * __vlc_list_find( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type, int i_mode )
 
         p_list->i_count = 0;
         ListChildren( p_list, p_this, i_type );
+        vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
         break;
 
     default:
@@ -1038,11 +959,30 @@ vlc_list_t * __vlc_list_find( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type, int i_mode )
         break;
     }
 
-    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-
     return p_list;
 }
 
+/**
+ * Gets the list of children of an objects, and increment their reference
+ * count.
+ * @return a list (possibly empty) or NULL in case of error.
+ */
+vlc_list_t *__vlc_list_children( vlc_object_t *obj )
+{
+    vlc_list_t *l;
+    vlc_object_internals_t *priv = vlc_internals( obj );
+
+    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
+    l = NewList( priv->i_children );
+    for (int i = 0; i < l->i_count; i++)
+    {
+        vlc_object_yield( priv->pp_children[i] );
+        l->p_values[i].p_object = priv->pp_children[i];
+    }
+    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
+    return l;
+}
+
 /*****************************************************************************
  * DumpCommand: print the current vlc structure
  *****************************************************************************
@@ -1053,32 +993,18 @@ vlc_list_t * __vlc_list_find( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type, int i_mode )
 static int DumpCommand( vlc_object_t *p_this, char const *psz_cmd,
                         vlc_value_t oldval, vlc_value_t newval, void *p_data )
 {
-    libvlc_global_data_t *p_libvlc_global = vlc_global();
-
     (void)oldval; (void)p_data;
     if( *psz_cmd == 'l' )
     {
-        vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
-
-        vlc_object_t **pp_current, **pp_end;
-
-        pp_current = p_libvlc_global->pp_objects;
-        pp_end = pp_current + p_libvlc_global->i_objects;
+        vlc_object_t *root = VLC_OBJECT (vlc_global ()), *cur = root; 
 
-        for( ; pp_current < pp_end ; pp_current++ )
+        vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
+        do
         {
-            if( (*pp_current)->p_internals->b_attached )
-            {
-                PrintObject( *pp_current, "" );
-            }
-            else
-            {
-                printf( " o %.8i %s (not attached)\n",
-                        (*pp_current)->i_object_id,
-                        (*pp_current)->psz_object_type );
-            }
+            PrintObject (cur, "");
+            cur = vlc_internals (cur)->next;
         }
-
+        while (cur != root);
         vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
     }
     else
@@ -1092,25 +1018,9 @@ static int DumpCommand( vlc_object_t *p_this, char const *psz_cmd,
             if( end != newval.psz_string )
                 p_object = vlc_object_get( i_id );
             else
-            {
                 /* try using the object's name to find it */
-                vlc_object_t *p_libvlc = vlc_object_get( 1 );
-                if( p_libvlc )
-                {
-                    /* Look in p_libvlc's children tree */
-                    p_object = vlc_object_find_name( p_libvlc,
-                                                     newval.psz_string,
-                                                     FIND_CHILD );
-                    vlc_object_release( p_libvlc );
-                }
-                if( !p_object )
-                {
-                    /* If it's not in libvlc, look in libvlc_global (== p_this) */
-                    p_object = vlc_object_find_name( p_this,
-                                                     newval.psz_string,
-                                                     FIND_CHILD );
-                }
-            }
+                p_object = vlc_object_find_name( p_this, newval.psz_string,
+                                                 FIND_ANYWHERE );
 
             if( !p_object )
             {
@@ -1139,11 +1049,11 @@ static int DumpCommand( vlc_object_t *p_this, char const *psz_cmd,
 
             PrintObject( p_object, "" );
 
-            if( !p_object->p_internals->i_vars )
+            if( !vlc_internals( p_object )->i_vars )
                 printf( " `-o No variables\n" );
-            for( i = 0; i < p_object->p_internals->i_vars; i++ )
+            for( i = 0; i < vlc_internals( p_object )->i_vars; i++ )
             {
-                variable_t *p_var = p_object->p_internals->p_vars + i;
+                variable_t *p_var = vlc_internals( p_object )->p_vars + i;
 
                 const char *psz_type = "unknown";
                 switch( p_var->i_type & VLC_VAR_TYPE )
@@ -1169,7 +1079,7 @@ static int DumpCommand( vlc_object_t *p_this, char const *psz_cmd,
 #undef MYCASE
                 }
                 printf( " %c-o \"%s\" (%s",
-                        i + 1 == p_object->p_internals->i_vars ? '`' : '|',
+                        i + 1 == vlc_internals( p_object )->i_vars ? '`' : '|',
                         p_var->psz_name, psz_type );
                 if( p_var->psz_text )
                     printf( ", %s", p_var->psz_text );
@@ -1196,7 +1106,7 @@ static int DumpCommand( vlc_object_t *p_this, char const *psz_cmd,
                         printf( ": %f", p_var->val.f_float );
                         break;
                     case VLC_VAR_TIME:
-                        printf( ": " I64Fi, (int64_t)p_var->val.i_time );
+                        printf( ": %"PRIi64, (int64_t)p_var->val.i_time );
                         break;
                     case VLC_VAR_ADDRESS:
                         printf( ": %p", p_var->val.p_address );
@@ -1253,46 +1163,6 @@ void __vlc_object_dump( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 
 /* Following functions are local */
 
-/*****************************************************************************
- * FindIndex: find the index of an object in an array of objects
- *****************************************************************************
- * This function assumes that p_this can be found in pp_objects. It will not
- * crash if p_this cannot be found, but will return a wrong value. It is your
- * duty to check the return value if you are not certain that the object could
- * be found for sure.
- *****************************************************************************/
-static int FindIndex( vlc_object_t *p_this,
-                      vlc_object_t **pp_objects, int i_count )
-{
-    int i_middle = i_count / 2;
-
-    if( i_count == 0 )
-    {
-        return 0;
-    }
-
-    if( pp_objects[i_middle] == p_this )
-    {
-        return i_middle;
-    }
-
-    if( i_count == 1 )
-    {
-        return 0;
-    }
-
-    /* We take advantage of the sorted array */
-    if( pp_objects[i_middle]->i_object_id < p_this->i_object_id )
-    {
-        return i_middle + FindIndex( p_this, pp_objects + i_middle,
-                                             i_count - i_middle );
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        return FindIndex( p_this, pp_objects, i_middle );
-    }
-}
-
 static vlc_object_t * FindObject( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type, int i_mode )
 {
     int i;
@@ -1304,10 +1174,9 @@ static vlc_object_t * FindObject( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type, int i_mode )
         p_tmp = p_this->p_parent;
         if( p_tmp )
         {
-            if( p_tmp->i_object_type == i_type
-                && p_tmp->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 )
+            if( p_tmp->i_object_type == i_type )
             {
-                vlc_object_yield_locked( p_tmp );
+                vlc_object_yield( p_tmp );
                 return p_tmp;
             }
             else
@@ -1318,16 +1187,15 @@ static vlc_object_t * FindObject( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type, int i_mode )
         break;
 
     case FIND_CHILD:
-        for( i = p_this->i_children; i--; )
+        for( i = vlc_internals( p_this )->i_children; i--; )
         {
-            p_tmp = p_this->pp_children[i];
-            if( p_tmp->i_object_type == i_type
-                && p_tmp->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 )
+            p_tmp = vlc_internals( p_this )->pp_children[i];
+            if( p_tmp->i_object_type == i_type )
             {
-                vlc_object_yield_locked( p_tmp );
+                vlc_object_yield( p_tmp );
                 return p_tmp;
             }
-            else if( p_tmp->i_children )
+            else if( vlc_internals( p_tmp )->i_children )
             {
                 p_tmp = FindObject( p_tmp, i_type, i_mode );
                 if( p_tmp )
@@ -1360,10 +1228,9 @@ static vlc_object_t * FindObjectName( vlc_object_t *p_this,
         if( p_tmp )
         {
             if( p_tmp->psz_object_name
-                && !strcmp( p_tmp->psz_object_name, psz_name )
-                && p_tmp->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 )
+                && !strcmp( p_tmp->psz_object_name, psz_name ) )
             {
-                vlc_object_yield_locked( p_tmp );
+                vlc_object_yield( p_tmp );
                 return p_tmp;
             }
             else
@@ -1374,17 +1241,16 @@ static vlc_object_t * FindObjectName( vlc_object_t *p_this,
         break;
 
     case FIND_CHILD:
-        for( i = p_this->i_children; i--; )
+        for( i = vlc_internals( p_this )->i_children; i--; )
         {
-            p_tmp = p_this->pp_children[i];
+            p_tmp = vlc_internals( p_this )->pp_children[i];
             if( p_tmp->psz_object_name
-                && !strcmp( p_tmp->psz_object_name, psz_name )
-                && p_tmp->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 )
+                && !strcmp( p_tmp->psz_object_name, psz_name ) )
             {
-                vlc_object_yield_locked( p_tmp );
+                vlc_object_yield( p_tmp );
                 return p_tmp;
             }
-            else if( p_tmp->i_children )
+            else if( vlc_internals( p_tmp )->i_children )
             {
                 p_tmp = FindObjectName( p_tmp, psz_name, i_mode );
                 if( p_tmp )
@@ -1403,63 +1269,13 @@ static vlc_object_t * FindObjectName( vlc_object_t *p_this,
     return NULL;
 }
 
-static void DetachObject( vlc_object_t *p_this )
-{
-    vlc_object_t *p_parent = p_this->p_parent;
-    int i_index, i;
-
-    /* Remove p_this's parent */
-    p_this->p_parent = NULL;
-
-    /* Remove all of p_parent's children which are p_this */
-    for( i_index = p_parent->i_children ; i_index-- ; )
-    {
-        if( p_parent->pp_children[i_index] == p_this )
-        {
-            p_parent->i_children--;
-            for( i = i_index ; i < p_parent->i_children ; i++ )
-            {
-                p_parent->pp_children[i] = p_parent->pp_children[i+1];
-            }
-        }
-    }
-
-    if( p_parent->i_children )
-    {
-        p_parent->pp_children = (vlc_object_t **)realloc( p_parent->pp_children,
-                               p_parent->i_children * sizeof(vlc_object_t *) );
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        free( p_parent->pp_children );
-        p_parent->pp_children = NULL;
-    }
-}
-
-/*****************************************************************************
- * SetAttachment: recursively set the b_attached flag of a subtree.
- *****************************************************************************
- * This function is used by the attach and detach functions to propagate
- * the b_attached flag in a subtree.
- *****************************************************************************/
-static void SetAttachment( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_bool_t b_attached )
-{
-    int i_index;
-
-    for( i_index = p_this->i_children ; i_index-- ; )
-    {
-        SetAttachment( p_this->pp_children[i_index], b_attached );
-    }
-
-    p_this->p_internals->b_attached = b_attached;
-}
 
 static void PrintObject( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char *psz_prefix )
 {
     char psz_children[20], psz_refcount[20], psz_thread[30], psz_name[50],
          psz_parent[20];
 
-    psz_name[0] = '\0';
+    memset( &psz_name, 0, sizeof(psz_name) );
     if( p_this->psz_object_name )
     {
         snprintf( psz_name, 49, " \"%s\"", p_this->psz_object_name );
@@ -1468,7 +1284,7 @@ static void PrintObject( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char *psz_prefix )
     }
 
     psz_children[0] = '\0';
-    switch( p_this->i_children )
+    switch( vlc_internals( p_this )->i_children )
     {
         case 0:
             break;
@@ -1476,23 +1292,20 @@ static void PrintObject( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char *psz_prefix )
             strcpy( psz_children, ", 1 child" );
             break;
         default:
-            snprintf( psz_children, 19, ", %i children", p_this->i_children );
+            snprintf( psz_children, 19, ", %i children",
+                      vlc_internals( p_this )->i_children );
             break;
     }
 
     psz_refcount[0] = '\0';
-    if( p_this->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 )
+    if( vlc_internals( p_this )->i_refcount > 0 )
         snprintf( psz_refcount, 19, ", refcount %u",
-                  p_this->p_internals->i_refcount );
+                  vlc_internals( p_this )->i_refcount );
 
     psz_thread[0] = '\0';
-    if( p_this->p_internals->b_thread )
-        snprintf( psz_thread, 29, " (thread %u)",
-#if defined(WIN32) || defined(UNDER_CE)
-                  (unsigned)p_this->p_internals->thread_id.id );
-#else
-                  (unsigned)p_this->p_internals->thread_id );
-#endif
+    if( vlc_internals( p_this )->b_thread )
+        snprintf( psz_thread, 29, " (thread %lu)",
+                  (unsigned long)vlc_internals( p_this )->thread_id );
 
     psz_parent[0] = '\0';
     if( p_this->p_parent )
@@ -1520,7 +1333,7 @@ static void DumpStructure( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_level, char *psz_foo )
         return;
     }
 
-    for( i = 0 ; i < p_this->i_children ; i++ )
+    for( i = 0 ; i < vlc_internals( p_this )->i_children ; i++ )
     {
         if( i_level )
         {
@@ -1532,7 +1345,7 @@ static void DumpStructure( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_level, char *psz_foo )
             }
         }
 
-        if( i == p_this->i_children - 1 )
+        if( i == vlc_internals( p_this )->i_children - 1 )
         {
             psz_foo[i_level] = '`';
         }
@@ -1544,7 +1357,8 @@ static void DumpStructure( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_level, char *psz_foo )
         psz_foo[i_level+1] = '-';
         psz_foo[i_level+2] = '\0';
 
-        DumpStructure( p_this->pp_children[i], i_level + 2, psz_foo );
+        DumpStructure( vlc_internals( p_this )->pp_children[i], i_level + 2,
+                       psz_foo );
     }
 }
 
@@ -1582,7 +1396,7 @@ static void ListReplace( vlc_list_t *p_list, vlc_object_t *p_object,
         return;
     }
 
-    vlc_object_yield_locked( p_object );
+    vlc_object_yield( p_object );
 
     p_list->p_values[i_index].p_object = p_object;
 
@@ -1604,7 +1418,7 @@ static void ListReplace( vlc_list_t *p_list, vlc_object_t *p_object,
         return;
     }
 
-    vlc_object_yield_locked( p_object );
+    vlc_object_yield( p_object );
 
     p_list->p_values[p_list->i_count].p_object = p_object;
     p_list->i_count++;
@@ -1617,19 +1431,15 @@ static int CountChildren( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type )
     vlc_object_t *p_tmp;
     int i, i_count = 0;
 
-    for( i = 0; i < p_this->i_children; i++ )
+    for( i = 0; i < vlc_internals( p_this )->i_children; i++ )
     {
-        p_tmp = p_this->pp_children[i];
+        p_tmp = vlc_internals( p_this )->pp_children[i];
 
         if( p_tmp->i_object_type == i_type )
         {
             i_count++;
         }
-
-        if( p_tmp->i_children )
-        {
-            i_count += CountChildren( p_tmp, i_type );
-        }
+        i_count += CountChildren( p_tmp, i_type );
     }
 
     return i_count;
@@ -1640,18 +1450,107 @@ static void ListChildren( vlc_list_t *p_list, vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type )
     vlc_object_t *p_tmp;
     int i;
 
-    for( i = 0; i < p_this->i_children; i++ )
+    for( i = 0; i < vlc_internals( p_this )->i_children; i++ )
     {
-        p_tmp = p_this->pp_children[i];
+        p_tmp = vlc_internals( p_this )->pp_children[i];
 
         if( p_tmp->i_object_type == i_type )
-        {
             ListReplace( p_list, p_tmp, p_list->i_count++ );
-        }
 
-        if( p_tmp->i_children )
-        {
-            ListChildren( p_list, p_tmp, i_type );
-        }
+        ListChildren( p_list, p_tmp, i_type );
     }
 }
+
+#ifdef LIBVLC_REFCHECK
+# if defined(HAVE_EXECINFO_H) && defined(HAVE_BACKTRACE)
+#  include <execinfo.h>
+# endif
+
+void vlc_refcheck (vlc_object_t *obj)
+{
+    static unsigned errors = 0;
+    if (errors > 100)
+        return;
+
+    /* Anyone can use the root object (though it should not exist) */
+    if (obj == VLC_OBJECT (vlc_global ()))
+        return;
+
+    /* Anyone can use its libvlc instance object */
+    if (obj == VLC_OBJECT (obj->p_libvlc))
+        return;
+
+    /* The thread that created the object holds the initial reference */
+    vlc_object_internals_t *priv = vlc_internals (obj);
+#if defined (LIBVLC_USE_PTHREAD)
+    if (pthread_equal (priv->creator_id, pthread_self ()))
+#elif defined WIN32
+    if (priv->creator_id == GetCurrentThreadId ())
+#else
+    if (0)
+#endif
+        return;
+
+    /* A thread can use its own object without references! */
+    vlc_object_t *caller = vlc_threadobj ();
+    if (caller == obj)
+        return;
+#if 0
+    /* The calling thread is younger than the object.
+     * Access could be valid through cross-thread synchronization;
+     * we would need better accounting. */
+    if (caller && (caller->i_object_id > obj->i_object_id))
+        return;
+#endif
+    int refs;
+    vlc_spin_lock (&priv->ref_spin);
+    refs = priv->i_refcount;
+    vlc_spin_unlock (&priv->ref_spin);
+
+    for (held_list_t *hlcur = vlc_threadvar_get (&held_objects);
+         hlcur != NULL; hlcur = hlcur->next)
+        if (hlcur->obj == obj)
+            return;
+
+    fprintf (stderr, "The %s %s thread object is accessing...\n"
+             "the %s %s object without references.\n",
+             caller && caller->psz_object_name
+                     ? caller->psz_object_name : "unnamed",
+             caller ? caller->psz_object_type : "main",
+             obj->psz_object_name ? obj->psz_object_name : "unnamed",
+             obj->psz_object_type);
+    fflush (stderr);
+
+#ifdef HAVE_BACKTRACE
+    void *stack[20];
+    int stackdepth = backtrace (stack, sizeof (stack) / sizeof (stack[0]));
+    backtrace_symbols_fd (stack, stackdepth, 2);
+#endif
+
+    if (++errors == 100)
+        fprintf (stderr, "Too many reference errors!\n");
+}
+
+static void held_objects_destroy (void *data)
+{
+    VLC_UNUSED( data );
+    held_list_t *hl = vlc_threadvar_get (&held_objects);
+    vlc_object_t *caller = vlc_threadobj ();
+
+    while (hl != NULL)
+    {
+        held_list_t *buf = hl->next;
+        vlc_object_t *obj = hl->obj;
+
+        fprintf (stderr, "The %s %s thread object leaked a reference to...\n"
+                         "the %s %s object.\n",
+                 caller && caller->psz_object_name
+                     ? caller->psz_object_name : "unnamed",
+                 caller ? caller->psz_object_type : "main",
+                 obj->psz_object_name ? obj->psz_object_name : "unnamed",
+                 obj->psz_object_type);
+        free (hl);
+        hl = buf;
+    }
+}
+#endif