]> git.sesse.net Git - vlc/blobdiff - src/misc/objects.c
Improve the still really dumb reference checker
[vlc] / src / misc / objects.c
index 0395161d8e34ae27d0aeb486e881fd030b65cfae..e717aaf04fc263c1aa29d07ee885c2aa305ceb08 100644 (file)
@@ -1,7 +1,7 @@
 /*****************************************************************************
  * objects.c: vlc_object_t handling
  *****************************************************************************
- * Copyright (C) 2004-2007 the VideoLAN team
+ * Copyright (C) 2004-2008 the VideoLAN team
  * $Id$
  *
  * Authors: Samuel Hocevar <sam@zoy.org>
 #include <vlc_sout.h>
 #include "stream_output/stream_output.h"
 
-#include "vlc_playlist.h"
 #include "vlc_interface.h"
 #include "vlc_codec.h"
 #include "vlc_filter.h"
 
-#include "vlc_httpd.h"
-#include "vlc_vlm.h"
-#include "input/vlm_internal.h"
-#include "vlc_vod.h"
-#include "vlc_tls.h"
-#include "vlc_xml.h"
-#include "vlc_osd.h"
-#include "vlc_meta.h"
-
 #include "variables.h"
 #ifndef WIN32
 # include <unistd.h>
@@ -80,11 +70,8 @@ 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 );
@@ -92,121 +79,111 @@ static void           ListReplace   ( vlc_list_t *, vlc_object_t *, int );
 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_detach_unlocked (vlc_object_t *p_this);
+
 /*****************************************************************************
  * Local structure lock
  *****************************************************************************/
-static vlc_mutex_t    structure_lock;
-static vlc_object_internals_t global_internals;
+static vlc_mutex_t     structure_lock;
+static vlc_threadvar_t thread_object;
 
-vlc_object_t *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;
 
-    if( i_type == VLC_OBJECT_GLOBAL )
-    {
-        p_new = p_this;
-        p_priv = &global_internals;
-        memset( p_priv, 0, sizeof( *p_priv ) );
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        p_priv = calloc( 1, sizeof( *p_priv ) + i_size );
-        if( p_priv == NULL )
-            return NULL;
+    /* NOTE:
+     * VLC objects are laid out as follow:
+     * - first the LibVLC-private per-object data,
+     * - then VLC_COMMON members from vlc_object_t,
+     * - finally, the type-specific data (if any).
+     *
+     * This function initializes the LibVLC and common data,
+     * and zeroes the rest.
+     */
+    p_priv = calloc( 1, sizeof( *p_priv ) + i_size );
+    if( p_priv == NULL )
+        return NULL;
 
-        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;
 
-    if( p_this->i_flags & OBJECT_FLAGS_NODBG )
-        p_new->i_flags |= OBJECT_FLAGS_NODBG;
-    if( p_this->i_flags & OBJECT_FLAGS_QUIET )
-        p_new->i_flags |= OBJECT_FLAGS_QUIET;
-    if( p_this->i_flags & OBJECT_FLAGS_NOINTERACT )
-        p_new->i_flags |= 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 );
 
     if( !p_priv->p_vars )
     {
-        if( i_type != VLC_OBJECT_GLOBAL )
-            free( p_priv );
+        free( p_priv );
         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;
+        p_priv->next = p_priv->prev = p_new;
+        vlc_mutex_init( &structure_lock );
     }
     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 );
     }
 
-    p_priv->i_refcount = 0;
+    vlc_spin_init( &p_priv->ref_spin );
+    p_priv->i_refcount = 1;
+    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_mutex_init( &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->var_lock );
     vlc_spin_init( &p_priv->spin );
     p_priv->pipes[0] = p_priv->pipes[1] = -1;
 
-    if( i_type == VLC_OBJECT_GLOBAL )
-    {
-        vlc_mutex_init( p_new, &structure_lock );
-    }
+    p_priv->next = VLC_OBJECT (p_libvlc_global);
+#if defined (NDEBUG)
+    /* ... */
+#elif defined (LIBVLC_USE_PTRHEAD)
+    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 )
     {
@@ -237,10 +214,6 @@ void * __vlc_object_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type )
 
     switch( i_type )
     {
-        case VLC_OBJECT_GLOBAL:
-            i_size = sizeof(libvlc_global_data_t);
-            psz_type = "global";
-            break;
         case VLC_OBJECT_LIBVLC:
             i_size = sizeof(libvlc_int_t);
             psz_type = "libvlc";
@@ -253,18 +226,6 @@ void * __vlc_object_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type )
             i_size = sizeof(intf_thread_t);
             psz_type = "dialogs";
             break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_PLAYLIST:
-            i_size = sizeof(playlist_t);
-            psz_type = "playlist";
-            break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_SD:
-            i_size = sizeof(services_discovery_t);
-            psz_type = "services discovery";
-            break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_INPUT:
-            i_size = sizeof(input_thread_t);
-            psz_type = "input";
-            break;
         case VLC_OBJECT_DEMUX:
             i_size = sizeof(demux_t);
             psz_type = "demux";
@@ -293,10 +254,6 @@ void * __vlc_object_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type )
             i_size = sizeof(vout_thread_t);
             psz_type = "video output";
             break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_SPU:
-            i_size = sizeof(spu_t);
-            psz_type = "subpicture";
-            break;
         case VLC_OBJECT_AOUT:
             i_size = sizeof(aout_instance_t);
             psz_type = "audio output";
@@ -305,18 +262,6 @@ void * __vlc_object_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type )
             i_size = sizeof(sout_instance_t);
             psz_type = "stream output";
             break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_VLM:
-            i_size = sizeof( vlm_t );
-            psz_type = "vlm dameon";
-            break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_VOD:
-            i_size = sizeof( vod_t );
-            psz_type = "vod server";
-            break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_XML:
-            i_size = sizeof( xml_t );
-            psz_type = "xml";
-            break;
         case VLC_OBJECT_OPENGL:
             i_size = sizeof( vout_thread_t );
             psz_type = "opengl";
@@ -325,13 +270,9 @@ 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_META_ENGINE:
-            i_size = sizeof( meta_engine_t );
-            psz_type = "meta engine";
-            break;
-        case VLC_OBJECT_OSDMENU:
-            i_size = sizeof( osd_menu_t );
-            psz_type = "osd menu";
+        case VLC_OBJECT_INTERACTION:
+            i_size = sizeof( interaction_t );
+            psz_type = "interaction";
             break;
         default:
             i_size = i_type > (int)sizeof(vlc_object_t)
@@ -347,60 +288,44 @@ void * __vlc_object_create( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type )
 
 /**
  ****************************************************************************
- * Destroy a vlc object
+ * Set the destructor of a vlc object
+ *
+ * This function sets the destructor of the vlc object. It will be called
+ * when the object is destroyed when the its refcount reaches 0.
+ * (It is called by the internal function vlc_object_destroy())
+ *****************************************************************************/
+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 );
+    p_priv->pf_destructor = pf_destructor;
+}
+
+/**
+ ****************************************************************************
+ * Destroy a vlc object (Internal)
  *
  * This function destroys an object that has been previously allocated with
  * vlc_object_create. The object's refcount must be zero and it must not be
  * attached to other objects in any way.
  *****************************************************************************/
-void __vlc_object_destroy( vlc_object_t *p_this )
+static void vlc_object_destroy( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
     vlc_object_internals_t *p_priv = vlc_internals( p_this );
-    int i_delay = 0;
-
-    if( p_this->i_children )
-    {
-        msg_Err( p_this, "cannot delete object (%i, %s) with children" ,
-                 p_this->i_object_id, p_this->psz_object_name );
-        return;
-    }
 
-    if( p_this->p_parent )
-    {
-        msg_Err( p_this, "cannot delete object (%i, %s) with a parent",
-                 p_this->i_object_id, p_this->psz_object_name );
-        return;
-    }
+    /* Objects are always detached beforehand */
+    assert( !p_this->p_parent );
 
-    while( p_priv->i_refcount > 0 )
-    {
-        i_delay++;
+    /* Send a kill to the object's thread if applicable */
+    vlc_object_kill( p_this );
 
-        /* Don't warn immediately ... 100ms seems OK */
-        if( i_delay == 2 )
-        {
-            msg_Warn( p_this,
-                  "refcount is %u, delaying before deletion (id=%d,type=%d)",
-                  p_priv->i_refcount, p_this->i_object_id,
-                  p_this->i_object_type );
-        }
-        else if( i_delay == 10 )
-        {
-            msg_Err( p_this,
-                  "refcount is %u, delaying again (id=%d,type=%d)",
-                  p_priv->i_refcount, p_this->i_object_id,
-                  p_this->i_object_type );
-        }
-        else if( i_delay == 20 )
-        {
-            msg_Err( p_this,
-                  "waited too long, cancelling destruction (id=%d,type=%d)",
-                  p_this->i_object_id, p_this->i_object_type );
-            return;
-        }
+    /* If we are running on a thread, wait until it ends */
+    if( p_priv->b_thread )
+        vlc_thread_join( p_this );
 
-        msleep( 100000 );
-    }
+    /* Call the custom "subclass" destructor */
+    if( p_priv->pf_destructor )
+        p_priv->pf_destructor( p_this );
 
     /* Destroy the associated variables, starting from the end so that
      * no memmove calls have to be done. */
@@ -412,52 +337,61 @@ void __vlc_object_destroy( vlc_object_t *p_this )
     free( p_priv->p_vars );
     vlc_mutex_destroy( &p_priv->var_lock );
 
-    if( p_this->psz_header ) free( p_this->psz_header );
+    free( p_this->psz_header );
 
-    if( p_this->i_object_type == VLC_OBJECT_GLOBAL )
+    if( p_this->p_libvlc == NULL )
     {
         libvlc_global_data_t *p_global = (libvlc_global_data_t *)p_this;
-        /* We are the global object ... no need to lock. */
-        free( p_global->pp_objects );
-        p_global->pp_objects = NULL;
-        p_global->i_objects--;
 
-        vlc_mutex_destroy( &structure_lock );
-    }
-    else
-    {
-        libvlc_global_data_t *p_libvlc_global = vlc_global();
-        int i_index;
-
-        vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+        assert( p_global == vlc_global() );
+        /* Test for leaks */
+        if (p_priv->next != p_this)
+        {
+            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",
+                         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);
 
-        /* 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 );
+            /* Dump global object to ease debugging */
+            vlc_object_dump( p_this );
+            /* Strongly abort, cause we want these to be fixed */
+            abort();
+        }
+#endif
 
-        vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
+        /* We are the global object ... no need to lock. */
+        vlc_mutex_destroy( &structure_lock );
     }
 
+    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_spin_destroy( &p_priv->ref_spin );
     vlc_mutex_destroy( &p_this->object_lock );
     vlc_cond_destroy( &p_this->object_wait );
     vlc_spin_destroy( &p_priv->spin );
-    if( p_priv->pipes[0] != -1 )
-        close( p_priv->pipes[0] );
     if( p_priv->pipes[1] != -1 )
         close( p_priv->pipes[1] );
+    if( p_priv->pipes[0] != -1 )
+        close( p_priv->pipes[0] );
 
-    /* global is not dynamically allocated by vlc_object_create */
-    if( p_this->i_object_type != VLC_OBJECT_GLOBAL )
-        free( p_priv );
+    free( p_priv );
 }
 
 
@@ -505,8 +439,8 @@ static int pipe (int fd[2])
         goto error;
 
     closesocket (l);
-    shutdown (a, 0);
-    shutdown (c, 1);
+    //shutdown (a, 0);
+    //shutdown (c, 1);
     fd[0] = c;
     fd[1] = a;
     return 0;
@@ -528,25 +462,22 @@ error:
 #endif /* WIN32 */
 
 /**
- * Returns the readable end of a pipe that becomes readable whenever
- * an object is signaled. This can be used to wait for VLC object events
- * inside select(), poll() loops or frameworks providing an event loop.
+ * Returns the readable end of a pipe that becomes readable once termination
+ * of the object is requested (vlc_object_kill()).
+ * This can be used to wake-up out of a select() or poll() event loop, such
+ * typically when doing network I/O.
  *
  * Note that the pipe will remain the same for the lifetime of the object.
- * DO NOT close it yourself. Ever.
- *
- * DO NOT try to read from the pipe either: call vlc_object_wait() instead.
- * Assuming the pipe is readable, vlc_object_wait() will not block.
- * Also note that, as with vlc_object_wait(), there may be spurious wakeups.
+ * DO NOT read the pipe nor close it yourself. Ever.
  *
- * @param obj object that would be signaled
+ * @param obj object that would be "killed"
  * @return a readable pipe descriptor, or -1 on 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 race = VLC_FALSE, signaled = VLC_FALSE;
+    vlc_object_internals_t *internals = vlc_internals( obj );
+    bool killed = false;
 
     vlc_spin_lock (&internals->spin);
     if (internals->pipes[0] == -1)
@@ -559,26 +490,36 @@ int __vlc_object_waitpipe( vlc_object_t *obj )
             return -1;
 
         vlc_spin_lock (&internals->spin);
-        signaled = internals->b_signaled;
         if (internals->pipes[0] == -1)
         {
             internals->pipes[0] = pfd[0];
             internals->pipes[1] = pfd[1];
+            pfd[0] = pfd[1] = -1;
         }
-        else
-            race = VLC_TRUE;
+        killed = obj->b_die;
     }
     vlc_spin_unlock (&internals->spin);
 
-    if (race)
-    {   /* Race condition: two threads call pipe() - unlikely */
-        close (pfd[0]);
-        close (pfd[1]);
+    if (killed)
+    {
+        /* Race condition: vlc_object_kill() already invoked! */
+        int fd;
+
+        vlc_spin_lock (&internals->spin);
+        fd = internals->pipes[1];
+        internals->pipes[1] = -1;
+        vlc_spin_unlock (&internals->spin);
+
+        msg_Dbg (obj, "waitpipe: object already dying");
+        if (fd != -1)
+            close (fd);
     }
 
-    if (signaled)
-        /* Race condition: lc_object_signal() already invoked! */
-        while (write (internals->pipes[1], &(char){ 0 }, 1) < 0);
+    /* Race condition: two threads call pipe() - unlikely */
+    if (pfd[0] != -1)
+        close (pfd[0]);
+    if (pfd[1] != -1)
+        close (pfd[1]);
 
     return internals->pipes[0];
 }
@@ -591,21 +532,10 @@ int __vlc_object_waitpipe( vlc_object_t *obj )
  *
  * @return true if the object is dying and should terminate.
  */
-vlc_bool_t __vlc_object_wait( vlc_object_t *obj )
+bool __vlc_object_wait( vlc_object_t *obj )
 {
-    int fd;
-
     vlc_assert_locked( &obj->object_lock );
-
-    fd = obj->p_internals->pipes[0];
-    if (fd != -1)
-    {
-        while (read (fd, &(char){ 0 }, 1)  < 0);
-        return obj->b_die;
-    }
-
     vlc_cond_wait( &obj->object_wait, &obj->object_lock );
-    obj->p_internals->b_signaled = VLC_FALSE;
     return obj->b_die;
 }
 
@@ -655,7 +585,7 @@ int __vlc_object_timedwait( vlc_object_t *obj, mtime_t deadline )
  *
  * @return true iff the object has not been killed yet
  */
-vlc_bool_t __vlc_object_alive( vlc_object_t *obj )
+bool __vlc_object_alive( vlc_object_t *obj )
 {
     vlc_assert_locked( &obj->object_lock );
     return !obj->b_die;
@@ -667,19 +597,7 @@ vlc_bool_t __vlc_object_alive( vlc_object_t *obj )
  */
 void __vlc_object_signal_unlocked( vlc_object_t *obj )
 {
-    struct vlc_object_internals_t *internals = obj->p_internals;
-    int fd;
-
     vlc_assert_locked (&obj->object_lock);
-
-    vlc_spin_lock (&internals->spin);
-    fd = internals->pipes[1];
-    internals->b_signaled = VLC_TRUE;
-    vlc_spin_unlock (&internals->spin);
-
-    if( fd != -1 )
-        while( write( fd, &(char){ 0 }, 1 ) < 0 );
-
     vlc_cond_signal( &obj->object_wait );
 }
 
@@ -690,12 +608,26 @@ void __vlc_object_signal_unlocked( vlc_object_t *obj )
  */
 void __vlc_object_kill( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
+    vlc_object_internals_t *internals = vlc_internals( p_this );
+    int fd;
+
     vlc_mutex_lock( &p_this->object_lock );
-    p_this->b_die = VLC_TRUE;
+    p_this->b_die = true;
+
+    vlc_spin_lock (&internals->spin);
+    fd = internals->pipes[1];
+    internals->pipes[1] = -1;
+    vlc_spin_unlock (&internals->spin);
+
+    if( fd != -1 )
+    {
+        msg_Dbg (p_this, "waitpipe: object killed");
+        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] );
+        for( int i = 0; i < internals->i_children ; i++ )
+            vlc_object_kill( internals->pp_children[i] );
 
     vlc_object_signal_unlocked( p_this );
     vlc_mutex_unlock( &p_this->object_lock );
@@ -703,66 +635,36 @@ void __vlc_object_kill( vlc_object_t *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;
 
     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 )
-        {
-            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 )
-                {
-                    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-                    pp_objects[i_middle+1]->p_internals->i_refcount++;
-                    return pp_objects[i_middle+1];
-                }
-                break;
-            }
-        }
-        else
-        {
-            vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-            pp_objects[i_middle]->p_internals->i_refcount++;
-            return pp_objects[i_middle];
-        }
-
-        if( i_max == 0 )
+        if( obj->i_object_id == i_id )
         {
-            /* 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;
 
+out:
     vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-    return NULL;
+    return obj;
 }
 
 /**
@@ -776,42 +678,28 @@ 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++;
-        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 )
-    {
-        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
+    if ((i_mode & 0x000f) == FIND_ANYWHERE)
     {
-        p_found = FindObject( p_this, i_type, i_mode );
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+        if (i_type == VLC_OBJECT_PLAYLIST)
+           msg_Warn (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;
 }
 
@@ -827,18 +715,17 @@ void * __vlc_object_find_name( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char *psz_name,
 {
     vlc_object_t *p_found;
 
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
-
     /* 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++;
-        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 )
     {
@@ -870,30 +757,74 @@ void * __vlc_object_find_name( vlc_object_t *p_this, const char *psz_name,
 }
 
 /**
- ****************************************************************************
- * increment an object refcount
- *****************************************************************************/
+ * Increment an object reference counter.
+ */
 void __vlc_object_yield( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
-    p_this->p_internals->i_refcount++;
-    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
-}
-
-static inline void Release( vlc_object_t *obj )
-{
-    assert( obj->p_internals->i_refcount > 0 );
-    obj->p_internals->i_refcount--;
+    vlc_object_internals_t *internals = vlc_internals( p_this );
+
+    vlc_spin_lock( &internals->ref_spin );
+    /* Avoid obvious freed object uses */
+    assert( internals->i_refcount > 0 );
+    /* Increment the counter */
+    internals->i_refcount++;
+    vlc_spin_unlock( &internals->ref_spin );
 }
 
 /*****************************************************************************
  * decrement an object refcount
+ * And destroy the object if its refcount reach zero.
  *****************************************************************************/
 void __vlc_object_release( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
+    vlc_object_internals_t *internals = vlc_internals( p_this );
+    bool b_should_destroy;
+
+    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 );
+
+    /* Slow path */
+    /* Remember that we cannot hold the spin while waiting on the mutex */
     vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
-    Release( p_this );
+    /* 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 )
+    {
+        /* 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 );
+    }
 }
 
 /**
@@ -910,21 +841,66 @@ void __vlc_object_attach( vlc_object_t *p_this, vlc_object_t *p_parent )
     vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
 
     /* 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 );
+
+    /* Kill the object if parent is already dead.
+     * Note: We should surely lock parent here, but that would
+     * create quite a few dead lock case. Hopefully, it
+     * is perfectly safe to do it that way. We only risk
+     * receiving kill event twice. But given current API
+     * it is ok. */
+    if( p_this->p_parent->b_die )
+        vlc_object_kill( 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;
+
+    /* Remove p_this's parent */
+    p_this->p_parent = NULL;
 
-    /* Climb up the tree to see whether we are connected with the root */
-    if( p_parent->p_internals->b_attached )
+    /* 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
@@ -937,23 +913,13 @@ void __vlc_object_detach( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 
     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
@@ -964,49 +930,29 @@ 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;
@@ -1014,6 +960,7 @@ 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:
@@ -1022,11 +969,30 @@ 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
  *****************************************************************************
@@ -1037,32 +1003,18 @@ 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;
+        vlc_object_t *root = VLC_OBJECT (vlc_global ()), *cur = root; 
 
-        pp_current = p_libvlc_global->pp_objects;
-        pp_end = pp_current + p_libvlc_global->i_objects;
-
-        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
@@ -1123,11 +1075,11 @@ 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 )
@@ -1153,7 +1105,7 @@ 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 );
@@ -1180,7 +1132,7 @@ 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 );
@@ -1214,59 +1166,29 @@ void vlc_list_release( vlc_list_t *p_list )
 {
     int i_index;
 
-    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
     for( i_index = 0; i_index < p_list->i_count; i_index++ )
     {
-        Release( p_list->p_values[i_index].p_object );
+        vlc_object_release( p_list->p_values[i_index].p_object );
     }
-    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
 
     free( p_list->p_values );
     free( p_list );
 }
 
-/* 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.
+ * dump an object. (Debug function)
  *****************************************************************************/
-static int FindIndex( vlc_object_t *p_this,
-                      vlc_object_t **pp_objects, int i_count )
+void __vlc_object_dump( vlc_object_t *p_this )
 {
-    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 );
-    }
+    vlc_mutex_lock( &structure_lock );
+    char psz_foo[2 * MAX_DUMPSTRUCTURE_DEPTH + 1];
+    psz_foo[0] = '|';
+    DumpStructure( p_this, 0, psz_foo );
+    vlc_mutex_unlock( &structure_lock );
 }
 
+/* Following functions are local */
+
 static vlc_object_t * FindObject( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type, int i_mode )
 {
     int i;
@@ -1280,7 +1202,7 @@ static vlc_object_t * FindObject( vlc_object_t *p_this, int i_type, int i_mode )
         {
             if( p_tmp->i_object_type == i_type )
             {
-                p_tmp->p_internals->i_refcount++;
+                vlc_object_yield( p_tmp );
                 return p_tmp;
             }
             else
@@ -1291,15 +1213,15 @@ 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];
+            p_tmp = vlc_internals( p_this )->pp_children[i];
             if( p_tmp->i_object_type == i_type )
             {
-                p_tmp->p_internals->i_refcount++;
+                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 )
@@ -1334,7 +1256,7 @@ static vlc_object_t * FindObjectName( vlc_object_t *p_this,
             if( p_tmp->psz_object_name
                 && !strcmp( p_tmp->psz_object_name, psz_name ) )
             {
-                p_tmp->p_internals->i_refcount++;
+                vlc_object_yield( p_tmp );
                 return p_tmp;
             }
             else
@@ -1345,16 +1267,16 @@ 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++;
+                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 )
@@ -1373,63 +1295,13 @@ 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 );
@@ -1438,7 +1310,7 @@ 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;
@@ -1446,23 +1318,20 @@ 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 )
@@ -1490,7 +1359,7 @@ 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 )
         {
@@ -1502,7 +1371,7 @@ 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] = '`';
         }
@@ -1514,7 +1383,8 @@ 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 );
     }
 }
 
@@ -1552,7 +1422,7 @@ static void ListReplace( vlc_list_t *p_list, vlc_object_t *p_object,
         return;
     }
 
-    p_object->p_internals->i_refcount++;
+    vlc_object_yield( p_object );
 
     p_list->p_values[i_index].p_object = p_object;
 
@@ -1574,7 +1444,7 @@ static void ListReplace( vlc_list_t *p_list, vlc_object_t *p_object,
         return;
     }
 
-    p_object->p_internals->i_refcount++;
+    vlc_object_yield( p_object );
 
     p_list->p_values[p_list->i_count].p_object = p_object;
     p_list->i_count++;
@@ -1587,19 +1457,15 @@ 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;
@@ -1610,18 +1476,84 @@ 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 );
     }
 }
+
+#ifndef NDEBUG
+# ifdef __GLIBC__
+#  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 reference! */
+    vlc_object_t *caller = vlc_threadobj ();
+    if (caller == obj)
+        return;
+
+    /* 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;
+
+    int refs;
+    vlc_spin_lock (&priv->ref_spin);
+    refs = priv->i_refcount;
+    vlc_spin_unlock (&priv->ref_spin);
+
+    /* Object has more than one reference.
+     * The current thread could be holding a valid reference. */
+    if (refs > 1)
+        return;
+
+    fprintf (stderr, "The %s %s thread object is accessing...\n"
+             "the %s %s object in a suspicous manner.\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 __GLIBC__
+    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");
+}
+#endif