Question: can the attempt to dump or output a complex var to a simple var, which causes and error, also cause memory leak? (not even sure I understand entirely what I am asking)

describe what you're trying to do better please

Don't even "describe it". Show us the code, show us the error

Serializing an object with a circular reference (via

serializeJSON()

or the like) could cause an unexpected drain on system resources. That's not the same thing as a memory leak, but it could have similar consequences. Cfdumping it could probably freeze up your laptop for a while.

I think it's a bit of a waste of time speculating without the code and the error.

That's okay, my time isn't that valuable 😉. Besides, you started it!

'But I would say "most likely not, no"'

-Adam Cameron

Typical me. Always starting something