IUnknown::Release

Decreases the reference count of the object by 1.

ULONG Release();

Parameters

There are no parameters.

Return Values

Returns the new reference count. This value is for diagnostic and testing purposes only.

Remarks

The object deallocates itself when its reference count reaches 0. Use the AddRef method to increase the object's reference count by 1.

Applications must call this method to release only interfaces that the method explicitly created in a previous call to IUnknown::AddRef, IUnknown::QueryInterface, or a creation function such as Direct3DCreate8.

Requirements

  Windows NT/2000/XP: Requires Windows NT 3.1 or later.
  Windows 98/Me: Requires Windows 98 or later.
  Header: Declared in Unknwn.h.