# DisposeSentinel

> Contains methods that automatically detect memory leaks.

## Definition

* **Type:** Class
* **Namespace:** [Unity.Collections.LowLevel.Unsafe](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unity/collections/lowlevel/unsafe.md)
* **Assembly:** UnityEngine.CoreModule

```csharp
public sealed class DisposeSentinel
```

## Remarks

The methods in `DisposeSentinel` are used by NativeContainer instances to automatically track memory leaks, and report them to you. However, you should use the MallocTracked method over `DisposeSentinel` where possible.

`DisposeSentinel` is a managed object that's only referenced by the `NativeContainer` that holds the native data that you don't want to leak. The `DisposeSentinel` finalizer is invoked when there aren't any references to the NativeContainer that owns it, and checks if the referenced data has been disposed correctly. If the data hasn't been disposed of correctly, `DisposeSentinel` logs an error containing the information about when the initial allocation happened.

`DisposeSentinel` creates garbage for the garbage collector to pick up, and any memory leaks are reported upon domain shutdown or reload.

You can only use the `DisposeSentinel` class when ENABLE\_UNITY\_COLLECTIONS\_CHECKS is defined.

Additional Resources: the example in [NativeContainerAttribute](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unity/collections/lowlevel/unsafe/nativecontainerattribute.md).

## Static Methods

| Method                                                                                                  | Description                                                                                                          |
| ------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- | -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- |
| [Clear](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unity/collections/lowlevel/unsafe/disposesentinel/clear.md)     | Clears the `DisposeSentinel`.                                                                                        |
| [Create](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unity/collections/lowlevel/unsafe/disposesentinel/create.md)   | Creates a new `AtomicSafetyHandle` and a new `DisposeSentinel`, to be used to track safety and leaks on native data. |
| [Dispose](/engine/6000.3/script-reference/unity/collections/lowlevel/unsafe/disposesentinel/dispose.md) | Releases the `AtomicSafetyHandle` and clears the `DisposeSentinel`.                                                  |