Garbage collection in Python is an automatic process that manages memory by cleaning up unused objects, thereby freeing up resources. This is essential in programming, as it helps prevent memory leaks and optimizes the performance of applications.

In Python, garbage collection primarily relies on two mechanisms: reference counting and a generational garbage collector. Reference counting keeps track of the number of references to each object in memory. When an object’s reference count drops to zero, it means the object is no longer needed, and the memory can be reclaimed. However, reference counting alone cannot handle circular references, which is where the generational garbage collector comes into play. This collector periodically scans for groups of objects that reference each other but are no longer accessible from the program, allowing for their memory to be freed as well ²⁴.

Overall, Python’s garbage collection system operates automatically, allowing developers to focus on writing code without worrying about manual memory management ³.