Exercise: Garbage Collections

Questions for: Garbage Collections

class Bar { } 
class Test 
{  
    Bar doBar() 
    {
        Bar b = new Bar(); /* Line 6 */
        return b; /* Line 7 */
    } 
    public static void main (String args[]) 
    { 
        Test t = new Test();  /* Line 11 */
        Bar newBar = t.doBar();  /* Line 12 */
        System.out.println("newBar"); 
        newBar = new Bar(); /* Line 14 */
        System.out.println("finishing"); /* Line 15 */
    } 
}
At what point is the Bar object, created on line 6, eligible for garbage collection?
A:
after line 12
B:
after line 14
C:
after line 7, when doBar() completes
D:
after line 15, when main() completes
Answer: B

Option B is correct. All references to the Bar object created on line 6 are destroyed when a new reference to a new Bar object is assigned to the variable newBar on line 14. Therefore the Bar object, created on line 6, is eligible for garbage collection after line 14.

Option A is wrong. This actually protects the object from garbage collection.

Option C is wrong. Because the reference in the doBar() method is returned on line 7 and is stored in newBar on line 12. This preserver the object created on line 6.

Option D is wrong. Not applicable because the object is eligible for garbage collection after line 14.

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class HappyGarbage01 
{ 
    public static void main(String args[]) 
    {
        HappyGarbage01 h = new HappyGarbage01(); 
        h.methodA(); /* Line 6 */
    } 
    Object methodA() 
    {
        Object obj1 = new Object(); 
        Object [] obj2 = new Object[1]; 
        obj2[0] = obj1; 
        obj1 = null; 
        return obj2[0]; 
    } 
}
Where will be the most chance of the garbage collector being invoked?
A:
After line 9
B:
After line 10
C:
After line 11
D:
Garbage collector never invoked in methodA()
Answer: D

Option D is correct. Garbage collection takes place after the method has returned its reference to the object. The method returns to line 6, there is no reference to store the return value. so garbage collection takes place after line 6.

Option A is wrong. Because the reference to obj1 is stored in obj2[0]. The Object obj1 still exists on the heap and can be accessed by an active thread through the reference stored in obj2[0].

Option B is wrong. Because it is only one of the references to the object obj1, the other reference is maintained in obj2[0].

Option C is wrong. The garbage collector will not be called here because a reference to the object is being maintained and returned in obj2[0].

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void start() {  
    A a = new A(); 
    B b = new B(); 
    a.s(b);  
    b = null; /* Line 5 */
    a = null;  /* Line 6 */
    System.out.println("start completed"); /* Line 7 */
}
When is the B object, created in line 3, eligible for garbage collection?
A:
after line 5
B:
after line 6
C:
after line 7
D:
There is no way to be absolutely certain.
Answer: D
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