[[Property:title|Reference for `eif_protect']]
[[Property:link_title|eif_protect]]
[[Property:weight|2]]
[[Property:uuid|f335a229-93c4-4f3f-6fca-9c4c190745c4]]
==SYNOPSYS==
<code>
'''#include "eif_hector.h"

EIF_OBJECT eif_protect (EIF_REFERENCE''' ''ref''''');'''</code>

==DESCRIPTION==
The '''eif_protect()''' function protects the Eiffel reference ''ref'' from the GC. It keeps a reference on it so that the Garbage Collector does not collect it if it is not referenced from Eiffel any longer. 
==RETURN VALUE==
The '''eif_protect()''' function returns an EIF_OBJECT. This EIF_OBJECT can be used later on to access ''ref'' with '''eif_access ()'''. 
==CONFORMANCE==
ISE Eiffel 4.4 and later. 
==COMPATIBILTY==
It is equivalent to '''henter()''', which is deprecated. 
==SEE ALSO==
'''eif_access'''(1), '''eif_protect'''(1) , '''eif_wean'''(1).