Merge pull request #60714 from Calinou/typedef-remove-ref

Remove `RES` and `REF` typedefs in favor of spelled out `Ref<>`

30 files changed, 155 insertions, 159 deletions

diff --git a/core/core_bind.cpp b/core/core_bind.cpp
index 8308c4fe53..0f0b8ed63f 100644
--- a/core/core_bind.cpp
+++ b/core/core_bind.cpp
@@ -58,15 +58,15 @@ ResourceLoader::ThreadLoadStatus ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get_status(const
 	return (ThreadLoadStatus)tls;
 }
 
-RES ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get(const String &p_path) {
+Ref<Resource> ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get(const String &p_path) {
 	Error error;
-	RES res = ::ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get(p_path, &error);
+	Ref<Resource> res = ::ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get(p_path, &error);
 	return res;
 }
 
-RES ResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
+Ref<Resource> ResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
 	Error err = OK;
-	RES ret = ::ResourceLoader::load(p_path, p_type_hint, ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode(p_cache_mode), &err);
+	Ref<Resource> ret = ::ResourceLoader::load(p_path, p_type_hint, ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode(p_cache_mode), &err);
 
 	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(err != OK, ret, "Error loading resource: '" + p_path + "'.");
 	return ret;
@@ -137,12 +137,12 @@ void ResourceLoader::_bind_methods() {
 
 ////// ResourceSaver //////
 
-Error ResourceSaver::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
+Error ResourceSaver::save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
 	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(p_resource.is_null(), ERR_INVALID_PARAMETER, "Can't save empty resource to path '" + String(p_path) + "'.");
 	return ::ResourceSaver::save(p_path, p_resource, p_flags);
 }
 
-Vector<String> ResourceSaver::get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource) {
+Vector<String> ResourceSaver::get_recognized_extensions(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource) {
 	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(p_resource.is_null(), Vector<String>(), "It's not a reference to a valid Resource object.");
 	List<String> exts;
 	::ResourceSaver::get_recognized_extensions(p_resource, &exts);
@@ -1970,7 +1970,7 @@ Variant ClassDB::instantiate(const StringName &p_class) const {
 
 	RefCounted *r = Object::cast_to<RefCounted>(obj);
 	if (r) {
-		return REF(r);
+		return Ref<RefCounted>(r);
 	} else {
 		return obj;
 	}
diff --git a/core/core_bind.h b/core/core_bind.h
index bc68be3f62..f6f2791006 100644
--- a/core/core_bind.h
+++ b/core/core_bind.h
@@ -73,9 +73,9 @@ public:
 
 	Error load_threaded_request(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint = "", bool p_use_sub_threads = false);
 	ThreadLoadStatus load_threaded_get_status(const String &p_path, Array r_progress = Array());
-	RES load_threaded_get(const String &p_path);
+	Ref<Resource> load_threaded_get(const String &p_path);
 
-	RES load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint = "", CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
+	Ref<Resource> load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint = "", CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
 	Vector<String> get_recognized_extensions_for_type(const String &p_type);
 	void set_abort_on_missing_resources(bool p_abort);
 	PackedStringArray get_dependencies(const String &p_path);
@@ -107,8 +107,8 @@ public:
 
 	static ResourceSaver *get_singleton() { return singleton; }
 
-	Error save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags);
-	Vector<String> get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource);
+	Error save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags);
+	Vector<String> get_recognized_extensions(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource);
 
 	ResourceSaver() { singleton = this; }
 };
diff --git a/core/crypto/crypto.cpp b/core/crypto/crypto.cpp
index f62d2cce1f..d0fd4feaa5 100644
--- a/core/crypto/crypto.cpp
+++ b/core/crypto/crypto.cpp
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ void Crypto::_bind_methods() {
 
 /// Resource loader/saver
 
-RES ResourceFormatLoaderCrypto::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
+Ref<Resource> ResourceFormatLoaderCrypto::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
 	String el = p_path.get_extension().to_lower();
 	if (el == "crt") {
 		X509Certificate *cert = X509Certificate::create();
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ String ResourceFormatLoaderCrypto::get_resource_type(const String &p_path) const
 	return "";
 }
 
-Error ResourceFormatSaverCrypto::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
+Error ResourceFormatSaverCrypto::save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
 	Error err;
 	Ref<X509Certificate> cert = p_resource;
 	Ref<CryptoKey> key = p_resource;
@@ -201,7 +201,7 @@ Error ResourceFormatSaverCrypto::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resourc
 	return OK;
 }
 
-void ResourceFormatSaverCrypto::get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const {
+void ResourceFormatSaverCrypto::get_recognized_extensions(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const {
 	const X509Certificate *cert = Object::cast_to<X509Certificate>(*p_resource);
 	const CryptoKey *key = Object::cast_to<CryptoKey>(*p_resource);
 	if (cert) {
@@ -215,6 +215,6 @@ void ResourceFormatSaverCrypto::get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource,
 	}
 }
 
-bool ResourceFormatSaverCrypto::recognize(const RES &p_resource) const {
+bool ResourceFormatSaverCrypto::recognize(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource) const {
 	return Object::cast_to<X509Certificate>(*p_resource) || Object::cast_to<CryptoKey>(*p_resource);
 }
diff --git a/core/crypto/crypto.h b/core/crypto/crypto.h
index 9de2c16fbc..fb4f7dd88f 100644
--- a/core/crypto/crypto.h
+++ b/core/crypto/crypto.h
@@ -117,7 +117,7 @@ public:
 
 class ResourceFormatLoaderCrypto : public ResourceFormatLoader {
 public:
-	virtual RES load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
+	virtual Ref<Resource> load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
 	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 	virtual bool handles_type(const String &p_type) const;
 	virtual String get_resource_type(const String &p_path) const;
@@ -125,9 +125,9 @@ public:
 
 class ResourceFormatSaverCrypto : public ResourceFormatSaver {
 public:
-	virtual Error save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags = 0);
-	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const;
-	virtual bool recognize(const RES &p_resource) const;
+	virtual Error save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags = 0);
+	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const;
+	virtual bool recognize(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource) const;
 };
 
 #endif // CRYPTO_H
diff --git a/core/extension/native_extension.cpp b/core/extension/native_extension.cpp
index 4fc7d71387..5c02cb9190 100644
--- a/core/extension/native_extension.cpp
+++ b/core/extension/native_extension.cpp
@@ -363,7 +363,7 @@ void NativeExtension::initialize_native_extensions() {
 	gdnative_interface.get_library_path = _get_library_path;
 }
 
-RES NativeExtensionResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
+Ref<Resource> NativeExtensionResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
 	Ref<ConfigFile> config;
 	config.instantiate();
 
@@ -374,14 +374,14 @@ RES NativeExtensionResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_or
 	}
 
 	if (err != OK) {
-		return RES();
+		return Ref<Resource>();
 	}
 
 	if (!config->has_section_key("configuration", "entry_symbol")) {
 		if (r_error) {
 			*r_error = ERR_INVALID_DATA;
 		}
-		return RES();
+		return Ref<Resource>();
 	}
 
 	String entry_symbol = config->get_value("configuration", "entry_symbol");
@@ -413,7 +413,7 @@ RES NativeExtensionResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_or
 		if (r_error) {
 			*r_error = ERR_FILE_NOT_FOUND;
 		}
-		return RES();
+		return Ref<Resource>();
 	}
 
 	if (!library_path.is_resource_file()) {
@@ -430,7 +430,7 @@ RES NativeExtensionResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_or
 	}
 
 	if (err != OK) {
-		return RES();
+		return Ref<Resource>();
 	}
 
 	return lib;
diff --git a/core/extension/native_extension.h b/core/extension/native_extension.h
index d29ccd81b8..028a627b2e 100644
--- a/core/extension/native_extension.h
+++ b/core/extension/native_extension.h
@@ -92,7 +92,7 @@ VARIANT_ENUM_CAST(NativeExtension::InitializationLevel)
 
 class NativeExtensionResourceLoader : public ResourceFormatLoader {
 public:
-	virtual RES load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
+	virtual Ref<Resource> load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
 	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 	virtual bool handles_type(const String &p_type) const;
 	virtual String get_resource_type(const String &p_path) const;
diff --git a/core/input/input.cpp b/core/input/input.cpp
index c0c029fda0..40cea2cd80 100644
--- a/core/input/input.cpp
+++ b/core/input/input.cpp
@@ -74,7 +74,7 @@ void (*Input::set_mouse_mode_func)(Input::MouseMode) = nullptr;
 Input::MouseMode (*Input::get_mouse_mode_func)() = nullptr;
 void (*Input::warp_mouse_func)(const Vector2 &p_position) = nullptr;
 Input::CursorShape (*Input::get_current_cursor_shape_func)() = nullptr;
-void (*Input::set_custom_mouse_cursor_func)(const RES &, Input::CursorShape, const Vector2 &) = nullptr;
+void (*Input::set_custom_mouse_cursor_func)(const Ref<Resource> &, Input::CursorShape, const Vector2 &) = nullptr;
 
 Input *Input::get_singleton() {
 	return singleton;
@@ -850,7 +850,7 @@ Input::CursorShape Input::get_current_cursor_shape() const {
 	return get_current_cursor_shape_func();
 }
 
-void Input::set_custom_mouse_cursor(const RES &p_cursor, CursorShape p_shape, const Vector2 &p_hotspot) {
+void Input::set_custom_mouse_cursor(const Ref<Resource> &p_cursor, CursorShape p_shape, const Vector2 &p_hotspot) {
 	if (Engine::get_singleton()->is_editor_hint()) {
 		return;
 	}
diff --git a/core/input/input.h b/core/input/input.h
index 23c7ebee02..5a7cb84ece 100644
--- a/core/input/input.h
+++ b/core/input/input.h
@@ -219,7 +219,7 @@ private:
 	static void (*warp_mouse_func)(const Vector2 &p_position);
 
 	static CursorShape (*get_current_cursor_shape_func)();
-	static void (*set_custom_mouse_cursor_func)(const RES &, CursorShape, const Vector2 &);
+	static void (*set_custom_mouse_cursor_func)(const Ref<Resource> &, CursorShape, const Vector2 &);
 
 	EventDispatchFunc event_dispatch_function = nullptr;
 
@@ -305,7 +305,7 @@ public:
 	CursorShape get_default_cursor_shape() const;
 	void set_default_cursor_shape(CursorShape p_shape);
 	CursorShape get_current_cursor_shape() const;
-	void set_custom_mouse_cursor(const RES &p_cursor, CursorShape p_shape = Input::CURSOR_ARROW, const Vector2 &p_hotspot = Vector2());
+	void set_custom_mouse_cursor(const Ref<Resource> &p_cursor, CursorShape p_shape = Input::CURSOR_ARROW, const Vector2 &p_hotspot = Vector2());
 
 	void parse_mapping(String p_mapping);
 	void joy_button(int p_device, JoyButton p_button, bool p_pressed);
diff --git a/core/io/image_loader.cpp b/core/io/image_loader.cpp
index 2ccc95f0de..9cf7c9caba 100644
--- a/core/io/image_loader.cpp
+++ b/core/io/image_loader.cpp
@@ -111,13 +111,13 @@ void ImageLoader::cleanup() {
 
 /////////////////
 
-RES ResourceFormatLoaderImage::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
+Ref<Resource> ResourceFormatLoaderImage::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
 	Ref<FileAccess> f = FileAccess::open(p_path, FileAccess::READ);
 	if (f.is_null()) {
 		if (r_error) {
 			*r_error = ERR_CANT_OPEN;
 		}
-		return RES();
+		return Ref<Resource>();
 	}
 
 	uint8_t header[4] = { 0, 0, 0, 0 };
@@ -128,7 +128,7 @@ RES ResourceFormatLoaderImage::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_origin
 		if (r_error) {
 			*r_error = ERR_FILE_UNRECOGNIZED;
 		}
-		ERR_FAIL_V(RES());
+		ERR_FAIL_V(Ref<Resource>());
 	}
 
 	String extension = f->get_pascal_string();
@@ -146,7 +146,7 @@ RES ResourceFormatLoaderImage::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_origin
 		if (r_error) {
 			*r_error = ERR_FILE_UNRECOGNIZED;
 		}
-		ERR_FAIL_V(RES());
+		ERR_FAIL_V(Ref<Resource>());
 	}
 
 	Ref<Image> image;
@@ -158,7 +158,7 @@ RES ResourceFormatLoaderImage::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_origin
 		if (r_error) {
 			*r_error = err;
 		}
-		return RES();
+		return Ref<Resource>();
 	}
 
 	if (r_error) {
diff --git a/core/io/image_loader.h b/core/io/image_loader.h
index 9409617268..c91d382c25 100644
--- a/core/io/image_loader.h
+++ b/core/io/image_loader.h
@@ -72,7 +72,7 @@ public:
 
 class ResourceFormatLoaderImage : public ResourceFormatLoader {
 public:
-	virtual RES load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
+	virtual Ref<Resource> load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
 	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 	virtual bool handles_type(const String &p_type) const;
 	virtual String get_resource_type(const String &p_path) const;
diff --git a/core/io/marshalls.cpp b/core/io/marshalls.cpp
index d0bc05566e..0c767c102d 100644
--- a/core/io/marshalls.cpp
+++ b/core/io/marshalls.cpp
@@ -601,7 +601,7 @@ Error decode_variant(Variant &r_variant, const uint8_t *p_buffer, int p_len, int
 					}
 
 					if (Object::cast_to<RefCounted>(obj)) {
-						REF ref = REF(Object::cast_to<RefCounted>(obj));
+						Ref<RefCounted> ref = Ref<RefCounted>(Object::cast_to<RefCounted>(obj));
 						r_variant = ref;
 					} else {
 						r_variant = obj;
diff --git a/core/io/resource.cpp b/core/io/resource.cpp
index 96efffd49b..e6535c67a4 100644
--- a/core/io/resource.cpp
+++ b/core/io/resource.cpp
@@ -208,13 +208,13 @@ Ref<Resource> Resource::duplicate_for_local_scene(Node *p_for_scene, Map<Ref<Res
 		}
 		Variant p = get(E.name);
 		if (p.get_type() == Variant::OBJECT) {
-			RES sr = p;
+			Ref<Resource> sr = p;
 			if (sr.is_valid()) {
 				if (sr->is_local_to_scene()) {
 					if (remap_cache.has(sr)) {
 						p = remap_cache[sr];
 					} else {
-						RES dupe = sr->duplicate_for_local_scene(p_for_scene, remap_cache);
+						Ref<Resource> dupe = sr->duplicate_for_local_scene(p_for_scene, remap_cache);
 						p = dupe;
 						remap_cache[sr] = dupe;
 					}
@@ -240,7 +240,7 @@ void Resource::configure_for_local_scene(Node *p_for_scene, Map<Ref<Resource>, R
 		}
 		Variant p = get(E.name);
 		if (p.get_type() == Variant::OBJECT) {
-			RES sr = p;
+			Ref<Resource> sr = p;
 			if (sr.is_valid()) {
 				if (sr->is_local_to_scene()) {
 					if (!remap_cache.has(sr)) {
@@ -269,7 +269,7 @@ Ref<Resource> Resource::duplicate(bool p_subresources) const {
 		if ((p.get_type() == Variant::DICTIONARY || p.get_type() == Variant::ARRAY)) {
 			r->set(E.name, p.duplicate(p_subresources));
 		} else if (p.get_type() == Variant::OBJECT && (p_subresources || (E.usage & PROPERTY_USAGE_DO_NOT_SHARE_ON_DUPLICATE))) {
-			RES sr = p;
+			Ref<Resource> sr = p;
 			if (sr.is_valid()) {
 				r->set(E.name, sr->duplicate(p_subresources));
 			}
@@ -321,7 +321,7 @@ void Resource::notify_change_to_owners() {
 		Object *obj = ObjectDB::get_instance(E->get());
 		ERR_CONTINUE_MSG(!obj, "Object was deleted, while still owning a resource."); //wtf
 		//TODO store string
-		obj->call("resource_changed", RES(this));
+		obj->call("resource_changed", Ref<Resource>(this));
 	}
 }
 
@@ -335,7 +335,7 @@ uint32_t Resource::hash_edited_version() const {
 
 	for (const PropertyInfo &E : plist) {
 		if (E.usage & PROPERTY_USAGE_STORAGE && E.type == Variant::OBJECT && E.hint == PROPERTY_HINT_RESOURCE_TYPE) {
-			RES res = get(E.name);
+			Ref<Resource> res = get(E.name);
 			if (res.is_valid()) {
 				hash = hash_djb2_one_32(res->hash_edited_version(), hash);
 			}
diff --git a/core/io/resource.h b/core/io/resource.h
index 8068000f32..43ae104da5 100644
--- a/core/io/resource.h
+++ b/core/io/resource.h
@@ -150,8 +150,6 @@ public:
 	~Resource();
 };
 
-typedef Ref<Resource> RES;
-
 class ResourceCache {
 	friend class Resource;
 	friend class ResourceLoader; //need the lock
diff --git a/core/io/resource_format_binary.cpp b/core/io/resource_format_binary.cpp
index bc7e524892..dec78aa218 100644
--- a/core/io/resource_format_binary.cpp
+++ b/core/io/resource_format_binary.cpp
@@ -388,7 +388,7 @@ Error ResourceLoaderBinary::parse_variant(Variant &r_v) {
 						path = remaps[path];
 					}
 
-					RES res = ResourceLoader::load(path, exttype);
+					Ref<Resource> res = ResourceLoader::load(path, exttype);
 
 					if (res.is_null()) {
 						WARN_PRINT(String("Couldn't load resource: " + path).utf8().get_data());
@@ -696,7 +696,7 @@ Error ResourceLoaderBinary::load() {
 			}
 
 			if (cache_mode == ResourceFormatLoader::CACHE_MODE_REUSE && ResourceCache::has(path)) {
-				RES cached = ResourceCache::get(path);
+				Ref<Resource> cached = ResourceCache::get(path);
 				if (cached.is_valid()) {
 					//already loaded, don't do anything
 					stage++;
@@ -717,7 +717,7 @@ Error ResourceLoaderBinary::load() {
 
 		String t = get_unicode_string();
 
-		RES res;
+		Ref<Resource> res;
 
 		if (cache_mode == ResourceFormatLoader::CACHE_MODE_REPLACE && ResourceCache::has(path)) {
 			//use the existing one
@@ -745,7 +745,7 @@ Error ResourceLoaderBinary::load() {
 				ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(ERR_FILE_CORRUPT, local_path + ":Resource type in resource field not a resource, type is: " + obj_class + ".");
 			}
 
-			res = RES(r);
+			res = Ref<Resource>(r);
 			if (!path.is_empty() && cache_mode != ResourceFormatLoader::CACHE_MODE_IGNORE) {
 				r->set_path(path, cache_mode == ResourceFormatLoader::CACHE_MODE_REPLACE); //if got here because the resource with same path has different type, replace it
 			}
@@ -1026,7 +1026,7 @@ String ResourceLoaderBinary::recognize(Ref<FileAccess> p_f) {
 	return type;
 }
 
-RES ResourceFormatLoaderBinary::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
+Ref<Resource> ResourceFormatLoaderBinary::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
 	if (r_error) {
 		*r_error = ERR_FILE_CANT_OPEN;
 	}
@@ -1034,7 +1034,7 @@ RES ResourceFormatLoaderBinary::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_origi
 	Error err;
 	Ref<FileAccess> f = FileAccess::open(p_path, FileAccess::READ, &err);
 
-	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(err != OK, RES(), "Cannot open file '" + p_path + "'.");
+	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(err != OK, Ref<Resource>(), "Cannot open file '" + p_path + "'.");
 
 	ResourceLoaderBinary loader;
 	loader.cache_mode = p_cache_mode;
@@ -1052,7 +1052,7 @@ RES ResourceFormatLoaderBinary::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_origi
 	}
 
 	if (err) {
-		return RES();
+		return Ref<Resource>();
 	}
 	return loader.resource;
 }
@@ -1178,7 +1178,7 @@ Error ResourceFormatLoaderBinary::rename_dependencies(const String &p_path, cons
 		err = loader.load();
 
 		ERR_FAIL_COND_V(err != ERR_FILE_EOF, ERR_FILE_CORRUPT);
-		RES res = loader.get_resource();
+		Ref<Resource> res = loader.get_resource();
 		ERR_FAIL_COND_V(!res.is_valid(), ERR_FILE_CORRUPT);
 
 		return ResourceFormatSaverBinary::singleton->save(p_path, res);
@@ -1353,7 +1353,7 @@ void ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::_pad_buffer(Ref<FileAccess> f, int p_byt
 	}
 }
 
-void ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::write_variant(Ref<FileAccess> f, const Variant &p_property, Map<RES, int> &resource_map, Map<RES, int> &external_resources, Map<StringName, int> &string_map, const PropertyInfo &p_hint) {
+void ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::write_variant(Ref<FileAccess> f, const Variant &p_property, Map<Ref<Resource>, int> &resource_map, Map<Ref<Resource>, int> &external_resources, Map<StringName, int> &string_map, const PropertyInfo &p_hint) {
 	switch (p_property.get_type()) {
 		case Variant::NIL: {
 			f->store_32(VARIANT_NIL);
@@ -1562,7 +1562,7 @@ void ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::write_variant(Ref<FileAccess> f, const V
 		} break;
 		case Variant::OBJECT: {
 			f->store_32(VARIANT_OBJECT);
-			RES res = p_property;
+			Ref<Resource> res = p_property;
 			if (res.is_null()) {
 				f->store_32(OBJECT_EMPTY);
 				return; // don't save it
@@ -1728,7 +1728,7 @@ void ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::write_variant(Ref<FileAccess> f, const V
 void ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::_find_resources(const Variant &p_variant, bool p_main) {
 	switch (p_variant.get_type()) {
 		case Variant::OBJECT: {
-			RES res = p_variant;
+			Ref<Resource> res = p_variant;
 
 			if (res.is_null() || external_resources.has(res)) {
 				return;
@@ -1756,7 +1756,7 @@ void ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::_find_resources(const Variant &p_variant
 				if (E.usage & PROPERTY_USAGE_STORAGE) {
 					Variant value = res->get(E.name);
 					if (E.usage & PROPERTY_USAGE_RESOURCE_NOT_PERSISTENT) {
-						RES sres = value;
+						Ref<Resource> sres = value;
 						if (sres.is_valid()) {
 							NonPersistentKey npk;
 							npk.base = res;
@@ -1833,7 +1833,7 @@ int ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::get_string_index(const String &p_string)
 	return strings.size() - 1;
 }
 
-Error ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
+Error ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
 	Error err;
 	Ref<FileAccess> f;
 	if (p_flags & ResourceSaver::FLAG_COMPRESS) {
@@ -1903,7 +1903,7 @@ Error ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p
 	List<ResourceData> resources;
 
 	{
-		for (const RES &E : saved_resources) {
+		for (const Ref<Resource> &E : saved_resources) {
 			ResourceData &rd = resources.push_back(ResourceData())->get();
 			rd.type = E->get_class();
 
@@ -1950,10 +1950,10 @@ Error ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p
 
 	// save external resource table
 	f->store_32(external_resources.size()); //amount of external resources
-	Vector<RES> save_order;
+	Vector<Ref<Resource>> save_order;
 	save_order.resize(external_resources.size());
 
-	for (const KeyValue<RES, int> &E : external_resources) {
+	for (const KeyValue<Ref<Resource>, int> &E : external_resources) {
 		save_order.write[E.value] = E.key;
 	}
 
@@ -1970,7 +1970,7 @@ Error ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p
 	Vector<uint64_t> ofs_pos;
 	Set<String> used_unique_ids;
 
-	for (RES &r : saved_resources) {
+	for (Ref<Resource> &r : saved_resources) {
 		if (r->is_built_in()) {
 			if (!r->get_scene_unique_id().is_empty()) {
 				if (used_unique_ids.has(r->get_scene_unique_id())) {
@@ -1982,9 +1982,9 @@ Error ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p
 		}
 	}
 
-	Map<RES, int> resource_map;
+	Map<Ref<Resource>, int> resource_map;
 	int res_index = 0;
-	for (RES &r : saved_resources) {
+	for (Ref<Resource> &r : saved_resources) {
 		if (r->is_built_in()) {
 			if (r->get_scene_unique_id().is_empty()) {
 				String new_id;
@@ -2045,17 +2045,17 @@ Error ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p
 	return OK;
 }
 
-Error ResourceFormatSaverBinary::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
+Error ResourceFormatSaverBinary::save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
 	String local_path = ProjectSettings::get_singleton()->localize_path(p_path);
 	ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance saver;
 	return saver.save(local_path, p_resource, p_flags);
 }
 
-bool ResourceFormatSaverBinary::recognize(const RES &p_resource) const {
+bool ResourceFormatSaverBinary::recognize(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource) const {
 	return true; //all recognized
 }
 
-void ResourceFormatSaverBinary::get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const {
+void ResourceFormatSaverBinary::get_recognized_extensions(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const {
 	String base = p_resource->get_base_extension().to_lower();
 	p_extensions->push_back(base);
 	if (base != "res") {
diff --git a/core/io/resource_format_binary.h b/core/io/resource_format_binary.h
index 72a3c6751d..92d4e4eeaa 100644
--- a/core/io/resource_format_binary.h
+++ b/core/io/resource_format_binary.h
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ class ResourceLoaderBinary {
 	ResourceUID::ID uid = ResourceUID::INVALID_ID;
 
 	Vector<char> str_buf;
-	List<RES> resource_cache;
+	List<Ref<Resource>> resource_cache;
 
 	Vector<StringName> string_map;
 
@@ -60,7 +60,7 @@ class ResourceLoaderBinary {
 		String path;
 		String type;
 		ResourceUID::ID uid = ResourceUID::INVALID_ID;
-		RES cache;
+		Ref<Resource> cache;
 	};
 
 	bool using_named_scene_ids = false;
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ class ResourceLoaderBinary {
 	};
 
 	Vector<IntResource> internal_resources;
-	Map<String, RES> internal_index_cache;
+	Map<String, Ref<Resource>> internal_index_cache;
 
 	String get_unicode_string();
 	void _advance_padding(uint32_t p_len);
@@ -89,7 +89,7 @@ class ResourceLoaderBinary {
 
 	Error parse_variant(Variant &r_v);
 
-	Map<String, RES> dependency_cache;
+	Map<String, Ref<Resource>> dependency_cache;
 
 public:
 	void set_local_path(const String &p_local_path);
@@ -107,7 +107,7 @@ public:
 
 class ResourceFormatLoaderBinary : public ResourceFormatLoader {
 public:
-	virtual RES load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
+	virtual Ref<Resource> load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
 	virtual void get_recognized_extensions_for_type(const String &p_type, List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 	virtual bool handles_type(const String &p_type) const;
@@ -127,20 +127,20 @@ class ResourceFormatSaverBinaryInstance {
 	bool big_endian;
 	bool takeover_paths;
 	String magic;
-	Set<RES> resource_set;
+	Set<Ref<Resource>> resource_set;
 
 	struct NonPersistentKey { //for resource properties generated on the fly
-		RES base;
+		Ref<Resource> base;
 		StringName property;
 		bool operator<(const NonPersistentKey &p_key) const { return base == p_key.base ? property < p_key.property : base < p_key.base; }
 	};
 
-	Map<NonPersistentKey, RES> non_persistent_map;
+	Map<NonPersistentKey, Ref<Resource>> non_persistent_map;
 	Map<StringName, int> string_map;
 	Vector<StringName> strings;
 
-	Map<RES, int> external_resources;
-	List<RES> saved_resources;
+	Map<Ref<Resource>, int> external_resources;
+	List<Ref<Resource>> saved_resources;
 
 	struct Property {
 		int name_idx;
@@ -167,16 +167,16 @@ public:
 		// Amount of reserved 32-bit fields in resource header
 		RESERVED_FIELDS = 11
 	};
-	Error save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags = 0);
-	static void write_variant(Ref<FileAccess> f, const Variant &p_property, Map<RES, int> &resource_map, Map<RES, int> &external_resources, Map<StringName, int> &string_map, const PropertyInfo &p_hint = PropertyInfo());
+	Error save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags = 0);
+	static void write_variant(Ref<FileAccess> f, const Variant &p_property, Map<Ref<Resource>, int> &resource_map, Map<Ref<Resource>, int> &external_resources, Map<StringName, int> &string_map, const PropertyInfo &p_hint = PropertyInfo());
 };
 
 class ResourceFormatSaverBinary : public ResourceFormatSaver {
 public:
 	static ResourceFormatSaverBinary *singleton;
-	virtual Error save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags = 0);
-	virtual bool recognize(const RES &p_resource) const;
-	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const;
+	virtual Error save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags = 0);
+	virtual bool recognize(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource) const;
+	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 
 	ResourceFormatSaverBinary();
 };
diff --git a/core/io/resource_importer.cpp b/core/io/resource_importer.cpp
index b4f73b3b25..984cf06d2b 100644
--- a/core/io/resource_importer.cpp
+++ b/core/io/resource_importer.cpp
@@ -114,7 +114,7 @@ Error ResourceFormatImporter::_get_path_and_type(const String &p_path, PathAndTy
 	return OK;
 }
 
-RES ResourceFormatImporter::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
+Ref<Resource> ResourceFormatImporter::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
 	PathAndType pat;
 	Error err = _get_path_and_type(p_path, pat);
 
@@ -123,10 +123,10 @@ RES ResourceFormatImporter::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_
 			*r_error = err;
 		}
 
-		return RES();
+		return Ref<Resource>();
 	}
 
-	RES res = ResourceLoader::_load(pat.path, p_path, pat.type, p_cache_mode, r_error, p_use_sub_threads, r_progress);
+	Ref<Resource> res = ResourceLoader::_load(pat.path, p_path, pat.type, p_cache_mode, r_error, p_use_sub_threads, r_progress);
 
 #ifdef TOOLS_ENABLED
 	if (res.is_valid()) {
diff --git a/core/io/resource_importer.h b/core/io/resource_importer.h
index 2fffc16ad8..b3d777847b 100644
--- a/core/io/resource_importer.h
+++ b/core/io/resource_importer.h
@@ -58,7 +58,7 @@ class ResourceFormatImporter : public ResourceFormatLoader {
 
 public:
 	static ResourceFormatImporter *get_singleton() { return singleton; }
-	virtual RES load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
+	virtual Ref<Resource> load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
 	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 	virtual void get_recognized_extensions_for_type(const String &p_type, List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 	virtual bool recognize_path(const String &p_path, const String &p_for_type = String()) const;
diff --git a/core/io/resource_loader.cpp b/core/io/resource_loader.cpp
index fe9693aa20..c8cebd672a 100644
--- a/core/io/resource_loader.cpp
+++ b/core/io/resource_loader.cpp
@@ -125,14 +125,14 @@ void ResourceFormatLoader::get_recognized_extensions(List<String> *p_extensions)
 	}
 }
 
-RES ResourceFormatLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
+Ref<Resource> ResourceFormatLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
 	Variant res;
 	if (GDVIRTUAL_CALL(_load, p_path, p_original_path, p_use_sub_threads, p_cache_mode, res)) {
 		if (res.get_type() == Variant::INT) { // Error code, abort.
 			if (r_error) {
 				*r_error = (Error)res.operator int64_t();
 			}
-			return RES();
+			return Ref<Resource>();
 		} else { // Success, pass on result.
 			if (r_error) {
 				*r_error = OK;
@@ -141,7 +141,7 @@ RES ResourceFormatLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_pa
 		}
 	}
 
-	ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(RES(), "Failed to load resource '" + p_path + "'. ResourceFormatLoader::load was not implemented for this resource type.");
+	ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(Ref<Resource>(), "Failed to load resource '" + p_path + "'. ResourceFormatLoader::load was not implemented for this resource type.");
 }
 
 void ResourceFormatLoader::get_dependencies(const String &p_path, List<String> *p_dependencies, bool p_add_types) {
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ void ResourceFormatLoader::_bind_methods() {
 
 ///////////////////////////////////
 
-RES ResourceLoader::_load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, const String &p_type_hint, ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode p_cache_mode, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress) {
+Ref<Resource> ResourceLoader::_load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, const String &p_type_hint, ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode p_cache_mode, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress) {
 	bool found = false;
 
 	// Try all loaders and pick the first match for the type hint
@@ -194,7 +194,7 @@ RES ResourceLoader::_load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, c
 			continue;
 		}
 		found = true;
-		RES res = loader[i]->load(p_path, !p_original_path.is_empty() ? p_original_path : p_path, r_error, p_use_sub_threads, r_progress, p_cache_mode);
+		Ref<Resource> res = loader[i]->load(p_path, !p_original_path.is_empty() ? p_original_path : p_path, r_error, p_use_sub_threads, r_progress, p_cache_mode);
 		if (res.is_null()) {
 			continue;
 		}
@@ -202,15 +202,15 @@ RES ResourceLoader::_load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, c
 		return res;
 	}
 
-	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(found, RES(),
+	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(found, Ref<Resource>(),
 			vformat("Failed loading resource: %s. Make sure resources have been imported by opening the project in the editor at least once.", p_path));
 
 #ifdef TOOLS_ENABLED
 	Ref<FileAccess> file_check = FileAccess::create(FileAccess::ACCESS_RESOURCES);
-	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(!file_check->file_exists(p_path), RES(), "Resource file not found: " + p_path + ".");
+	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(!file_check->file_exists(p_path), Ref<Resource>(), "Resource file not found: " + p_path + ".");
 #endif
 
-	ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(RES(), "No loader found for resource: " + p_path + ".");
+	ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(Ref<Resource>(), "No loader found for resource: " + p_path + ".");
 }
 
 void ResourceLoader::_thread_load_function(void *p_userdata) {
@@ -342,7 +342,7 @@ Error ResourceLoader::load_threaded_request(const String &p_path, const String &
 			Resource **rptr = ResourceCache::resources.getptr(local_path);
 
 			if (rptr) {
-				RES res(*rptr);
+				Ref<Resource> res(*rptr);
 				//it is possible this resource was just freed in a thread. If so, this referencing will not work and resource is considered not cached
 				if (res.is_valid()) {
 					//referencing is fine
@@ -427,7 +427,7 @@ ResourceLoader::ThreadLoadStatus ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get_status(const
 	return status;
 }
 
-RES ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get(const String &p_path, Error *r_error) {
+Ref<Resource> ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get(const String &p_path, Error *r_error) {
 	String local_path = _validate_local_path(p_path);
 
 	thread_load_mutex->lock();
@@ -436,7 +436,7 @@ RES ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get(const String &p_path, Error *r_error) {
 		if (r_error) {
 			*r_error = ERR_INVALID_PARAMETER;
 		}
-		return RES();
+		return Ref<Resource>();
 	}
 
 	ThreadLoadTask &load_task = thread_load_tasks[local_path];
@@ -480,11 +480,11 @@ RES ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get(const String &p_path, Error *r_error) {
 			if (r_error) {
 				*r_error = ERR_INVALID_PARAMETER;
 			}
-			return RES();
+			return Ref<Resource>();
 		}
 	}
 
-	RES resource = load_task.resource;
+	Ref<Resource> resource = load_task.resource;
 	if (r_error) {
 		*r_error = load_task.error;
 	}
@@ -504,7 +504,7 @@ RES ResourceLoader::load_threaded_get(const String &p_path, Error *r_error) {
 	return resource;
 }
 
-RES ResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint, ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode p_cache_mode, Error *r_error) {
+Ref<Resource> ResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint, ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode p_cache_mode, Error *r_error) {
 	if (r_error) {
 		*r_error = ERR_CANT_OPEN;
 	}
@@ -522,7 +522,7 @@ RES ResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint, Resour
 					*r_error = err;
 				}
 				thread_load_mutex->unlock();
-				return RES();
+				return Ref<Resource>();
 			}
 			thread_load_mutex->unlock();
 
@@ -535,7 +535,7 @@ RES ResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint, Resour
 		Resource **rptr = ResourceCache::resources.getptr(local_path);
 
 		if (rptr) {
-			RES res(*rptr);
+			Ref<Resource> res(*rptr);
 
 			//it is possible this resource was just freed in a thread. If so, this referencing will not work and resource is considered not cached
 			if (res.is_valid()) {
@@ -575,16 +575,16 @@ RES ResourceLoader::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint, Resour
 		String path = _path_remap(local_path, &xl_remapped);
 
 		if (path.is_empty()) {
-			ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(RES(), "Remapping '" + local_path + "' failed.");
+			ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(Ref<Resource>(), "Remapping '" + local_path + "' failed.");
 		}
 
 		print_verbose("Loading resource: " + path);
 		float p;
-		RES res = _load(path, local_path, p_type_hint, p_cache_mode, r_error, false, &p);
+		Ref<Resource> res = _load(path, local_path, p_type_hint, p_cache_mode, r_error, false, &p);
 
 		if (res.is_null()) {
 			print_verbose("Failed loading resource: " + path);
-			return RES();
+			return Ref<Resource>();
 		}
 
 		if (xl_remapped) {
diff --git a/core/io/resource_loader.h b/core/io/resource_loader.h
index a3fdefa0f1..15ecfacf4a 100644
--- a/core/io/resource_loader.h
+++ b/core/io/resource_loader.h
@@ -61,7 +61,7 @@ protected:
 	GDVIRTUAL4RC(Variant, _load, String, String, bool, int)
 
 public:
-	virtual RES load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
+	virtual Ref<Resource> load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
 	virtual bool exists(const String &p_path) const;
 	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 	virtual void get_recognized_extensions_for_type(const String &p_type, List<String> *p_extensions) const;
@@ -85,7 +85,7 @@ typedef void (*ResourceLoadErrorNotify)(void *p_ud, const String &p_text);
 typedef void (*DependencyErrorNotify)(void *p_ud, const String &p_loading, const String &p_which, const String &p_type);
 
 typedef Error (*ResourceLoaderImport)(const String &p_path);
-typedef void (*ResourceLoadedCallback)(RES p_resource, const String &p_path);
+typedef void (*ResourceLoadedCallback)(Ref<Resource> p_resource, const String &p_path);
 
 class ResourceLoader {
 	enum {
@@ -121,7 +121,7 @@ private:
 	friend class ResourceFormatImporter;
 	friend class ResourceInteractiveLoader;
 	// Internal load function.
-	static RES _load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, const String &p_type_hint, ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode p_cache_mode, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress);
+	static Ref<Resource> _load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, const String &p_type_hint, ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode p_cache_mode, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress);
 
 	static ResourceLoadedCallback _loaded_callback;
 
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ private:
 		ThreadLoadStatus status = THREAD_LOAD_IN_PROGRESS;
 		ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode cache_mode = ResourceFormatLoader::CACHE_MODE_REUSE;
 		Error error = OK;
-		RES resource;
+		Ref<Resource> resource;
 		bool xl_remapped = false;
 		bool use_sub_threads = false;
 		bool start_next = true;
@@ -161,9 +161,9 @@ private:
 public:
 	static Error load_threaded_request(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint = "", bool p_use_sub_threads = false, ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode p_cache_mode = ResourceFormatLoader::CACHE_MODE_REUSE, const String &p_source_resource = String());
 	static ThreadLoadStatus load_threaded_get_status(const String &p_path, float *r_progress = nullptr);
-	static RES load_threaded_get(const String &p_path, Error *r_error = nullptr);
+	static Ref<Resource> load_threaded_get(const String &p_path, Error *r_error = nullptr);
 
-	static RES load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint = "", ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode p_cache_mode = ResourceFormatLoader::CACHE_MODE_REUSE, Error *r_error = nullptr);
+	static Ref<Resource> load(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint = "", ResourceFormatLoader::CacheMode p_cache_mode = ResourceFormatLoader::CACHE_MODE_REUSE, Error *r_error = nullptr);
 	static bool exists(const String &p_path, const String &p_type_hint = "");
 
 	static void get_recognized_extensions_for_type(const String &p_type, List<String> *p_extensions);
diff --git a/core/io/resource_saver.cpp b/core/io/resource_saver.cpp
index c883e8502f..2f5c5b54dd 100644
--- a/core/io/resource_saver.cpp
+++ b/core/io/resource_saver.cpp
@@ -41,7 +41,7 @@ bool ResourceSaver::timestamp_on_save = false;
 ResourceSavedCallback ResourceSaver::save_callback = nullptr;
 ResourceSaverGetResourceIDForPath ResourceSaver::save_get_id_for_path = nullptr;
 
-Error ResourceFormatSaver::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
+Error ResourceFormatSaver::save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
 	int64_t res;
 	if (GDVIRTUAL_CALL(_save, p_path, p_resource, p_flags, res)) {
 		return (Error)res;
@@ -50,7 +50,7 @@ Error ResourceFormatSaver::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uin
 	return ERR_METHOD_NOT_FOUND;
 }
 
-bool ResourceFormatSaver::recognize(const RES &p_resource) const {
+bool ResourceFormatSaver::recognize(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource) const {
 	bool success;
 	if (GDVIRTUAL_CALL(_recognize, p_resource, success)) {
 		return success;
@@ -59,7 +59,7 @@ bool ResourceFormatSaver::recognize(const RES &p_resource) const {
 	return false;
 }
 
-void ResourceFormatSaver::get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const {
+void ResourceFormatSaver::get_recognized_extensions(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const {
 	PackedStringArray exts;
 	if (GDVIRTUAL_CALL(_get_recognized_extensions, p_resource, exts)) {
 		const String *r = exts.ptr();
@@ -75,7 +75,7 @@ void ResourceFormatSaver::_bind_methods() {
 	GDVIRTUAL_BIND(_get_recognized_extensions, "resource");
 }
 
-Error ResourceSaver::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
+Error ResourceSaver::save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags) {
 	String extension = p_path.get_extension();
 	Error err = ERR_FILE_UNRECOGNIZED;
 
@@ -102,7 +102,7 @@ Error ResourceSaver::save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t
 
 		String local_path = ProjectSettings::get_singleton()->localize_path(p_path);
 
-		RES rwcopy = p_resource;
+		Ref<Resource> rwcopy = p_resource;
 		if (p_flags & FLAG_CHANGE_PATH) {
 			rwcopy->set_path(local_path);
 		}
@@ -139,7 +139,7 @@ void ResourceSaver::set_save_callback(ResourceSavedCallback p_callback) {
 	save_callback = p_callback;
 }
 
-void ResourceSaver::get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) {
+void ResourceSaver::get_recognized_extensions(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) {
 	for (int i = 0; i < saver_count; i++) {
 		saver[i]->get_recognized_extensions(p_resource, p_extensions);
 	}
diff --git a/core/io/resource_saver.h b/core/io/resource_saver.h
index ebc3be91a1..088317bfbe 100644
--- a/core/io/resource_saver.h
+++ b/core/io/resource_saver.h
@@ -41,14 +41,14 @@ class ResourceFormatSaver : public RefCounted {
 protected:
 	static void _bind_methods();
 
-	GDVIRTUAL3R(int64_t, _save, String, RES, uint32_t)
-	GDVIRTUAL1RC(bool, _recognize, RES)
-	GDVIRTUAL1RC(Vector<String>, _get_recognized_extensions, RES)
+	GDVIRTUAL3R(int64_t, _save, String, Ref<Resource>, uint32_t)
+	GDVIRTUAL1RC(bool, _recognize, Ref<Resource>)
+	GDVIRTUAL1RC(Vector<String>, _get_recognized_extensions, Ref<Resource>)
 
 public:
-	virtual Error save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags = 0);
-	virtual bool recognize(const RES &p_resource) const;
-	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const;
+	virtual Error save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags = 0);
+	virtual bool recognize(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource) const;
+	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 
 	virtual ~ResourceFormatSaver() {}
 };
@@ -81,8 +81,8 @@ public:
 		FLAG_REPLACE_SUBRESOURCE_PATHS = 64,
 	};
 
-	static Error save(const String &p_path, const RES &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags = (uint32_t)FLAG_NONE);
-	static void get_recognized_extensions(const RES &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions);
+	static Error save(const String &p_path, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, uint32_t p_flags = (uint32_t)FLAG_NONE);
+	static void get_recognized_extensions(const Ref<Resource> &p_resource, List<String> *p_extensions);
 	static void add_resource_format_saver(Ref<ResourceFormatSaver> p_format_saver, bool p_at_front = false);
 	static void remove_resource_format_saver(Ref<ResourceFormatSaver> p_format_saver);
 
diff --git a/core/io/translation_loader_po.cpp b/core/io/translation_loader_po.cpp
index ae1ad304d7..f36eb7c763 100644
--- a/core/io/translation_loader_po.cpp
+++ b/core/io/translation_loader_po.cpp
@@ -34,7 +34,7 @@
 #include "core/string/translation.h"
 #include "core/string/translation_po.h"
 
-RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
+Ref<Resource> TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 	if (r_error) {
 		*r_error = ERR_FILE_CORRUPT;
 	}
@@ -49,7 +49,7 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 
 		uint16_t version_maj = f->get_16();
 		uint16_t version_min = f->get_16();
-		ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(version_maj > 1, RES(), vformat("Unsupported MO file %s, version %d.%d.", path, version_maj, version_min));
+		ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(version_maj > 1, Ref<Resource>(), vformat("Unsupported MO file %s, version %d.%d.", path, version_maj, version_min));
 
 		uint32_t num_strings = f->get_32();
 		uint32_t id_table_offset = f->get_32();
@@ -170,14 +170,14 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 			// If we reached last line and it's not a content line, break, otherwise let processing that last loop
 			if (is_eof && l.is_empty()) {
 				if (status == STATUS_READING_ID || status == STATUS_READING_CONTEXT || (status == STATUS_READING_PLURAL && plural_index != plural_forms - 1)) {
-					ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(RES(), "Unexpected EOF while reading PO file at: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+					ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(Ref<Resource>(), "Unexpected EOF while reading PO file at: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 				} else {
 					break;
 				}
 			}
 
 			if (l.begins_with("msgctxt")) {
-				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(status != STATUS_READING_STRING && status != STATUS_READING_PLURAL, RES(), "Unexpected 'msgctxt', was expecting 'msgid_plural' or 'msgstr' before 'msgctxt' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(status != STATUS_READING_STRING && status != STATUS_READING_PLURAL, Ref<Resource>(), "Unexpected 'msgctxt', was expecting 'msgid_plural' or 'msgstr' before 'msgctxt' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 
 				// In PO file, "msgctxt" appears before "msgid". If we encounter a "msgctxt", we add what we have read
 				// and set "entered_context" to true to prevent adding twice.
@@ -185,7 +185,7 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 					if (status == STATUS_READING_STRING) {
 						translation->add_message(msg_id, msg_str, msg_context);
 					} else if (status == STATUS_READING_PLURAL) {
-						ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(plural_index != plural_forms - 1, RES(), "Number of 'msgstr[]' doesn't match with number of plural forms: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+						ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(plural_index != plural_forms - 1, Ref<Resource>(), "Number of 'msgstr[]' doesn't match with number of plural forms: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 						translation->add_plural_message(msg_id, msgs_plural, msg_context);
 					}
 				}
@@ -197,9 +197,9 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 
 			if (l.begins_with("msgid_plural")) {
 				if (plural_forms == 0) {
-					ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(RES(), "PO file uses 'msgid_plural' but 'Plural-Forms' is invalid or missing in header: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+					ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(Ref<Resource>(), "PO file uses 'msgid_plural' but 'Plural-Forms' is invalid or missing in header: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 				} else if (status != STATUS_READING_ID) {
-					ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(RES(), "Unexpected 'msgid_plural', was expecting 'msgid' before 'msgid_plural' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+					ERR_FAIL_V_MSG(Ref<Resource>(), "Unexpected 'msgid_plural', was expecting 'msgid' before 'msgid_plural' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 				}
 				// We don't record the message in "msgid_plural" itself as tr_n(), TTRN(), RTRN() interfaces provide the plural string already.
 				// We just have to reset variables related to plurals for "msgstr[]" later on.
@@ -209,14 +209,14 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 				msgs_plural.resize(plural_forms);
 				status = STATUS_READING_PLURAL;
 			} else if (l.begins_with("msgid")) {
-				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(status == STATUS_READING_ID, RES(), "Unexpected 'msgid', was expecting 'msgstr' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(status == STATUS_READING_ID, Ref<Resource>(), "Unexpected 'msgid', was expecting 'msgstr' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 
 				if (!msg_id.is_empty()) {
 					if (!skip_this && !entered_context) {
 						if (status == STATUS_READING_STRING) {
 							translation->add_message(msg_id, msg_str, msg_context);
 						} else if (status == STATUS_READING_PLURAL) {
-							ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(plural_index != plural_forms - 1, RES(), "Number of 'msgstr[]' doesn't match with number of plural forms: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+							ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(plural_index != plural_forms - 1, Ref<Resource>(), "Number of 'msgstr[]' doesn't match with number of plural forms: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 							translation->add_plural_message(msg_id, msgs_plural, msg_context);
 						}
 					}
@@ -245,11 +245,11 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 			}
 
 			if (l.begins_with("msgstr[")) {
-				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(status != STATUS_READING_PLURAL, RES(), "Unexpected 'msgstr[]', was expecting 'msgid_plural' before 'msgstr[]' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(status != STATUS_READING_PLURAL, Ref<Resource>(), "Unexpected 'msgstr[]', was expecting 'msgid_plural' before 'msgstr[]' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 				plural_index++; // Increment to add to the next slot in vector msgs_plural.
 				l = l.substr(9, l.length()).strip_edges();
 			} else if (l.begins_with("msgstr")) {
-				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(status != STATUS_READING_ID, RES(), "Unexpected 'msgstr', was expecting 'msgid' before 'msgstr' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(status != STATUS_READING_ID, Ref<Resource>(), "Unexpected 'msgstr', was expecting 'msgid' before 'msgstr' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 				l = l.substr(6, l.length()).strip_edges();
 				status = STATUS_READING_STRING;
 			}
@@ -262,7 +262,7 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 				continue; // Nothing to read or comment.
 			}
 
-			ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(!l.begins_with("\"") || status == STATUS_NONE, RES(), "Invalid line '" + l + "' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+			ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(!l.begins_with("\"") || status == STATUS_NONE, Ref<Resource>(), "Invalid line '" + l + "' while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 
 			l = l.substr(1, l.length());
 			// Find final quote, ignoring escaped ones (\").
@@ -284,7 +284,7 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 				escape_next = false;
 			}
 
-			ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(end_pos == -1, RES(), "Expected '\"' at end of message while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+			ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(end_pos == -1, Ref<Resource>(), "Expected '\"' at end of message while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 
 			l = l.substr(0, end_pos);
 			l = l.c_unescape();
@@ -296,7 +296,7 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 			} else if (status == STATUS_READING_CONTEXT) {
 				msg_context += l;
 			} else if (status == STATUS_READING_PLURAL && plural_index >= 0) {
-				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(plural_index >= plural_forms, RES(), "Unexpected plural form while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(plural_index >= plural_forms, Ref<Resource>(), "Unexpected plural form while parsing: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 				msgs_plural.write[plural_index] = msgs_plural[plural_index] + l;
 			}
 
@@ -314,13 +314,13 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 			}
 		} else if (status == STATUS_READING_PLURAL) {
 			if (!skip_this && !msg_id.is_empty()) {
-				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(plural_index != plural_forms - 1, RES(), "Number of 'msgstr[]' doesn't match with number of plural forms: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
+				ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(plural_index != plural_forms - 1, Ref<Resource>(), "Number of 'msgstr[]' doesn't match with number of plural forms: " + path + ":" + itos(line));
 				translation->add_plural_message(msg_id, msgs_plural, msg_context);
 			}
 		}
 	}
 
-	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(config.is_empty(), RES(), "No config found in file: " + path + ".");
+	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(config.is_empty(), Ref<Resource>(), "No config found in file: " + path + ".");
 
 	Vector<String> configs = config.split("\n");
 	for (int i = 0; i < configs.size(); i++) {
@@ -344,13 +344,13 @@ RES TranslationLoaderPO::load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error) {
 	return translation;
 }
 
-RES TranslationLoaderPO::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
+Ref<Resource> TranslationLoaderPO::load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path, Error *r_error, bool p_use_sub_threads, float *r_progress, CacheMode p_cache_mode) {
 	if (r_error) {
 		*r_error = ERR_CANT_OPEN;
 	}
 
 	Ref<FileAccess> f = FileAccess::open(p_path, FileAccess::READ);
-	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(f.is_null(), RES(), "Cannot open file '" + p_path + "'.");
+	ERR_FAIL_COND_V_MSG(f.is_null(), Ref<Resource>(), "Cannot open file '" + p_path + "'.");
 
 	return load_translation(f, r_error);
 }
diff --git a/core/io/translation_loader_po.h b/core/io/translation_loader_po.h
index 7da361cf24..4477ad7714 100644
--- a/core/io/translation_loader_po.h
+++ b/core/io/translation_loader_po.h
@@ -37,8 +37,8 @@
 
 class TranslationLoaderPO : public ResourceFormatLoader {
 public:
-	static RES load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error = nullptr);
-	virtual RES load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
+	static Ref<Resource> load_translation(Ref<FileAccess> f, Error *r_error = nullptr);
+	virtual Ref<Resource> load(const String &p_path, const String &p_original_path = "", Error *r_error = nullptr, bool p_use_sub_threads = false, float *r_progress = nullptr, CacheMode p_cache_mode = CACHE_MODE_REUSE);
 	virtual void get_recognized_extensions(List<String> *p_extensions) const;
 	virtual bool handles_type(const String &p_type) const;
 	virtual String get_resource_type(const String &p_path) const;
diff --git a/core/object/object.cpp b/core/object/object.cpp
index 897b5d18de..1defd85a14 100644
--- a/core/object/object.cpp
+++ b/core/object/object.cpp
@@ -1476,7 +1476,7 @@ String Object::tr_n(const StringName &p_message, const StringName &p_message_plu
 void Object::_clear_internal_resource_paths(const Variant &p_var) {
 	switch (p_var.get_type()) {
 		case Variant::OBJECT: {
-			RES r = p_var;
+			Ref<Resource> r = p_var;
 			if (!r.is_valid()) {
 				return;
 			}
diff --git a/core/object/ref_counted.cpp b/core/object/ref_counted.cpp
index c9a7b2a608..726e2c012c 100644
--- a/core/object/ref_counted.cpp
+++ b/core/object/ref_counted.cpp
@@ -108,7 +108,7 @@ Variant WeakRef::get_ref() const {
 	}
 	RefCounted *r = cast_to<RefCounted>(obj);
 	if (r) {
-		return REF(r);
+		return Ref<RefCounted>(r);
 	}
 
 	return obj;
@@ -118,7 +118,7 @@ void WeakRef::set_obj(Object *p_object) {
 	ref = p_object ? p_object->get_instance_id() : ObjectID();
 }
 
-void WeakRef::set_ref(const REF &p_ref) {
+void WeakRef::set_ref(const Ref<RefCounted> &p_ref) {
 	ref = p_ref.is_valid() ? p_ref->get_instance_id() : ObjectID();
 }
 
diff --git a/core/object/ref_counted.h b/core/object/ref_counted.h
index dcacf19890..bd06a84bd8 100644
--- a/core/object/ref_counted.h
+++ b/core/object/ref_counted.h
@@ -234,8 +234,6 @@ public:
 	}
 };
 
-typedef Ref<RefCounted> REF;
-
 class WeakRef : public RefCounted {
 	GDCLASS(WeakRef, RefCounted);
 
@@ -247,7 +245,7 @@ protected:
 public:
 	Variant get_ref() const;
 	void set_obj(Object *p_object);
-	void set_ref(const REF &p_ref);
+	void set_ref(const Ref<RefCounted> &p_ref);
 
 	WeakRef() {}
 };
diff --git a/core/object/script_language.h b/core/object/script_language.h
index 69002c81f4..f58ef45743 100644
--- a/core/object/script_language.h
+++ b/core/object/script_language.h
@@ -323,7 +323,7 @@ public:
 		String display;
 		String insert_text;
 		Color font_color;
-		RES icon;
+		Ref<Resource> icon;
 		Variant default_value;
 		Vector<Pair<int, int>> matches;
 		int location = LOCATION_OTHER;
diff --git a/core/variant/variant_parser.cpp b/core/variant/variant_parser.cpp
index 5fc6df8f39..bd13f66a09 100644
--- a/core/variant/variant_parser.cpp
+++ b/core/variant/variant_parser.cpp
@@ -806,7 +806,7 @@ Error VariantParser::parse_value(Token &token, Variant &value, Stream *p_stream,
 				return ERR_PARSE_ERROR;
 			}
 
-			REF ref = REF(Object::cast_to<RefCounted>(obj));
+			Ref<RefCounted> ref = Ref<RefCounted>(Object::cast_to<RefCounted>(obj));
 
 			get_token(p_stream, token, line, r_err_str);
 			if (token.type != TK_COMMA) {
@@ -887,7 +887,7 @@ Error VariantParser::parse_value(Token &token, Variant &value, Stream *p_stream,
 			}
 
 			if (p_res_parser && id == "Resource" && p_res_parser->func) {
-				RES res;
+				Ref<Resource> res;
 				Error err = p_res_parser->func(p_res_parser->userdata, p_stream, res, line, r_err_str);
 				if (err) {
 					return err;
@@ -895,7 +895,7 @@ Error VariantParser::parse_value(Token &token, Variant &value, Stream *p_stream,
 
 				value = res;
 			} else if (p_res_parser && id == "ExtResource" && p_res_parser->ext_func) {
-				RES res;
+				Ref<Resource> res;
 				Error err = p_res_parser->ext_func(p_res_parser->userdata, p_stream, res, line, r_err_str);
 				if (err) {
 					return err;
@@ -903,7 +903,7 @@ Error VariantParser::parse_value(Token &token, Variant &value, Stream *p_stream,
 
 				value = res;
 			} else if (p_res_parser && id == "SubResource" && p_res_parser->sub_func) {
-				RES res;
+				Ref<Resource> res;
 				Error err = p_res_parser->sub_func(p_res_parser->userdata, p_stream, res, line, r_err_str);
 				if (err) {
 					return err;
@@ -914,7 +914,7 @@ Error VariantParser::parse_value(Token &token, Variant &value, Stream *p_stream,
 				get_token(p_stream, token, line, r_err_str);
 				if (token.type == TK_STRING) {
 					String path = token.value;
-					RES res = ResourceLoader::load(path);
+					Ref<Resource> res = ResourceLoader::load(path);
 					if (res.is_null()) {
 						r_err_str = "Can't load resource at path: '" + path + "'.";
 						return ERR_PARSE_ERROR;
@@ -1624,7 +1624,7 @@ Error VariantWriter::write(const Variant &p_variant, StoreStringFunc p_store_str
 				break; // don't save it
 			}
 
-			RES res = p_variant;
+			Ref<Resource> res = p_variant;
 			if (res.is_valid()) {
 				//is resource
 				String res_text;
diff --git a/core/variant/variant_parser.h b/core/variant/variant_parser.h
index 07d89d30cb..70ca8d8cb5 100644
--- a/core/variant/variant_parser.h
+++ b/core/variant/variant_parser.h
@@ -138,7 +138,7 @@ public:
 class VariantWriter {
 public:
 	typedef Error (*StoreStringFunc)(void *ud, const String &p_string);
-	typedef String (*EncodeResourceFunc)(void *ud, const RES &p_resource);
+	typedef String (*EncodeResourceFunc)(void *ud, const Ref<Resource> &p_resource);
 
 	static Error write(const Variant &p_variant, StoreStringFunc p_store_string_func, void *p_store_string_ud, EncodeResourceFunc p_encode_res_func, void *p_encode_res_ud, int recursion_count = 0);
 	static Error write_to_string(const Variant &p_variant, String &r_string, EncodeResourceFunc p_encode_res_func = nullptr, void *p_encode_res_ud = nullptr);
diff --git a/core/variant/variant_utility.cpp b/core/variant/variant_utility.cpp
index 7c821ad41d..66badce268 100644
--- a/core/variant/variant_utility.cpp
+++ b/core/variant/variant_utility.cpp
@@ -435,7 +435,7 @@ struct VariantUtilityFunctions {
 			r_error.error = Callable::CallError::CALL_OK;
 			if (obj.is_ref_counted()) {
 				Ref<WeakRef> wref = memnew(WeakRef);
-				REF r = obj;
+				Ref<RefCounted> r = obj;
 				if (r.is_valid()) {
 					wref->set_ref(r);
 				}