Garbage Collection problem??

[Ravinder Rana]

 Given the following,
1. public class X {
2. public static void main(String [] args) {
3. X x = new X();
4. X x2 = m1(x);
5. X x4 = new X();
6. x2 = x4;
7. doComplexStuff();
8. }
9. static X m1(X mx) {
10. mx = new X();
11. return mx;
12. }
13. }
After line 6 runs. how many objects are eligible for garbage collection?
A. 0
B. 1
C. 2
D. 3
E. 4   

i think 2 objects r eligible 4 garbage collection(at line 4).

I'm a bit confuse,plz explain this garbage collection regarding in method return.



Thanks in advance.

[wise owen]

Only one object.

3. X x = new X(); //create one. x references to it
4. X x2 = m1(x); //create one in m1 method. x2 references to it
5. X x4 = new X(); //create one. x4 references
6. x2 = x4; //x2 references to x4's object. x2 originally referenced object can be GC.

[Ravinder Rana]

Thanks 4 reply,
Wise Owen u r saying, X x=new X();//creat one
I think it creates two objects, then how one object eligible 4 garbage colln.

Plz clear it to me, I'm a bit confuse.



Thanks in advance.

[wise owen]

How many instances of X are created from line 3 to 5?
Can you explain why u think 2 objects 4 GC?