What does `free_raw_data` do in `lightgbm.Dataset()`?

Question

I've read the docs and an explanation on the FAQ. But the former is just a tautology and the latter explains things with self. as if I would be regularly using Dataset in my own classes. Usually, I load up a dataset and use it to train my models, so never need to use self. anywhere. I am a beginner though.

Where does the data 'go' if it is free? What happens when it is not free? Why would I want my data to be free or not? Is this something I, as an ML Engineer, would use, or is it (as the FAQ seems to indicate) more for the LGBM devs and the inner workings of the class?

When talking about memory and variables, _free_ means _delete_. — John Gordon, Mar 15 '21 at 14:02
Oooooh. So it deletes the raw data and just leaves you with the lightgbm.Dataset object to save memory? — codeananda, Mar 15 '21 at 14:05

score 0 · Accepted Answer · answered Nov 08 '22 at 12:14

0

Combining the comments into an answer.

When talking about memory and variables, free means delete. So, it deletes the raw data which leaves just the lightgbm.Dataset object in memory.

answered Nov 08 '22 at 12:14

codeananda

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What does `free_raw_data` do in `lightgbm.Dataset()`?

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