Garbage collection

[Veena Pointi]

This was the question I found in Jhon hunt's mock exam?
Q. 31
In the following code, which is the earliest statement, where the object originally held in e, may be garbage collected:
public class Test {
public static void main (String args []) {
Employee e = new Employee("Bob", 48);
e.calculatePay();
System.out.println(e.printDetails());
e = null;
e = new Employee("Denise", 36);
e.calculatePay();
System.out.println(e.printDetails());
}
}
Line 10
Line 11
Line 7
Line 8
Never
Select

Answer is Line 7
Can anybody explain how?
Thanks
Veena

[Nate Johnson]

Here is my answer... others feel free to add or correct me if I am wrong...
I think the key here is the phrase "the object originally held in e" and that object is set to null in line 6, so in line 7, that object can be gc'ed.
It is a bit confusing because there is another new object that gets created in line 7 and stored in e. But this is another new object.
Hope that helps
[ July 31, 2002: Message edited by: Nate Johnson ]

[Veena Pointi]

Thanks Nate,I didn't think about the new object.
Veena

[Dan Chisholm]

Veena,
Congratulations on becoming a ranch hand with your 31st post!

[Veena Pointi]

Thanks Dan.But I really don't know anything about ranch hand member & other namings like bartender,how they are given?.Just know that newly registered member greenhorn member.
Veena

[Dan Chisholm]

Veena,
A greenhorn becomes a ranch hand after 30 posts. I noticed that you had 31 so I thought that I would offer my congratulations since you probably didn't even notice the change.

[Anthony Villanueva]

Congratulations, Veena! In case you're curious...

[Veena Pointi]

Thanks ...
Anthony that discussion was pretty interesting & funny.I am really enjoying here in Javaranch.
JavaRanch great place to share Java knowledge & have fun.
Veena