Qn on GC

[cs singh]

class X2{
public X2 x;
public static void main(String args[]) {
X2 x2= new X2();
X3 x3 = new X3();
X2.x=x3;
X3.x=x2;
x2=new X2();
x3=x2; //line 9
doComplexstuff();
}
}

how many obj. will be eligible for garbage collection after line 9 runs??
ans is 2, can anybody explain??

[Mark Spritzler]

So what is class X3? In your code sample it creates a reference of type X3, but no class definition for X3 exists.

Also, below the Add reply button are a set of buttons, one called CODE puts CODE tags around your code so that it keeps its formatting and indentaiton.

Mark

[Faqeer Khudaka]

Shouldn't the answer be 1 instead of 2 cause it seems there is only 1 object eligible for garbage collection after line 9??

Correct me if I am wrong.
Thanks

[cs singh]

no, the correct answer is 2.

[Arshad Azeem]

if the code went to docomplexstuff() after line 7, without having:

x2=new X2();
x3=x2; //line 9

the answer is 2..but after 9, both x2 and x3 shud refer to the same object. so, x2 and x3 shud be still on the heap. also, there is no code snippet showing/not showing if the instance var. are passed to some other method.

i think its 0...plz tell me how its 2

[Michael Carlson]

Please put up the correct code in proper format.
Thanks

[Lakshmanan Arunachalam]

both x2 and x3 shud refer to the same object. so, x2 and x3 shud be still on the heap

You are right. But a small correction, x2 and x3 are not objects, they are references to object. In this case after line 9, references x2 and x3 are pointing to the same object only.
The objects that are eligible for garbage collection are those created at line 4 and 5.(hence the answer 2)

Regards
Lakshmanan

[ven kaar]

Even i feel Lakshman is rite, if the corrected code ia as below

class X2 {
public X2 x;

public static void main(String args[]) {
X2 x2= new X2();
X2 x3 = new X2();
x2.x=x3;
x3.x=x2;
x2=new X2();
x3=x2; //line 9
doComplexstuff();
}
public static void doComplexstuff(){
return;
}
}

[Abhijit Sontakey]

There will be 2 objects eligible for garbage collection.
There are two objects that get created by following lines:

X2 x2= new X2();
X3 x3 = new X3();

when a new object is assigned to both x2 and x3 references, the above mentioned objects are redundant and eligible for garbage collection.
Let me know if this helps.