Question

consider this sample code:

1.  public class GC {
2.      private Object o;
3.      private void doSomethingElse(Object obj) { o = obj; }
4.      public void doSomething() {
5.          Object o = new Object();
6.          doSomethingElse(o);
7.          o = new Object();
8.          doSomethingElse(null);
9.          o = null;
10.     }
11. }

When the doSomething method is called, after which line does the Object created in line
5 become available for garbage collection?

A. Line 5

B. Line 6

C. Line 7

D. Line 8

E. Line 9

F. Line 10

Answer: D

why D? it’s true that when Line 6 is executed the object created in Line 5 is now referenced by the instance var o and the local var o and when Line 8 is executed the object now is referenced by only the local ref var o, so why the answer is D and what happens after Line 9 is executed?? thanks.

Answer 1

The main reason this question is confusing IMO is that there are 2 variables named o. One is the instance variable o and the other is the local variable o inside method doSomething().

Time            instance var o    local var o
Before Line 5:            null               
Line 5:                   null       Object#1
Line 6:               Object#1       Object#1
Line 7:               Object#1       Object#2
Line 8:                   null       Object#2   <- No more references to Object#1

So on (or after executing) line 8, Object#1 is eligible for collection.