1. A computer implemented method of managing weak references with a concurrent mark sweep collector, the method comprising, during a current collection cycle of the concurrent mark sweep collector: (a) analyzing a plurality of objects to determine whether any of the objects are strongly-reachable; (b) processing weak references to the plurality of objects and clearing any weak references to objects that are not determined to be strongly-reachable; and (c) while processing the weak references, inhibiting access to a predetermined weak reference only if the object referenced by the predetermined weak reference has not yet been determined to be strongly-reachable during the current collection cycle.