[gnu.emacs] why does GNU Emacs not release memory

lynn@rave.phx.mcd.mot.com (Lynn D. Newton) (10/25/89)

I am running GNU Emacs 18.54/18.82 variously on a Motorola 68030
based system and a Motorola 88100 RISC based system. (Both Unix
System V.)

I'm sure this question has asked before, but I don't know the
answer, and it has suddenly become a major issue where I am
working. I'm planning on cross-posting to 3 groups, so please
excuse the duplication.

Apparently it is known and possibly even according to design that
GNU Emacs continues to grow and never releases memory when
buffers are closed or at any other appropriate times, so that it
eventually grows into a monster. It is not uncommon for me to see
processes that grow to 700-800 4K pages of memory, and I have
seen as high as 1200.

I am under the impression that such is the case with all strains
of GNU Emacs. Naturally I would like to see it otherwise. If it
is in fact by design, then what is the, and if it is a bug that
has been around for a long time and which everyone experiences,
then why can't it be fixed, and if it is a bug which only we have
experienced and have lived with all this time thinking that it
was supposed to be this way, what can be done about it?

--
=================================================================
Lynn D. Newton            | System Test
Motorola MCD, Tempe, AZ   | (Department of Heuristic Neology)
(602) 437-3739            | "The bug stops here!"
lynn@rave.phx.mcd.mot.com |