This attribute gives the number of active pointers associated
with an Object. It is modified whenever pointers are created or
annulled (by AST_CLONE, AST_ANNUL or AST_END for example). The count
includes the initial pointer issued when the Object was created.
If the reference count for an Object falls to zero as the result
of annulling a pointer to it, then the Object will be deleted.
AST A Library for Handling World Coordinate Systems in Astronomy Starlink User Note 210 R.F. Warren-Smith & D.S. Berry 30th April 2003 E-mail:ussc@star.rl.ac.uk
Copyright (C) 2003 Central Laboratory of the Research Councils