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When is the Demo object eligible for garbage collection? class Test { private Demo d; void start() { d = new Demo(); this.takeDemo(d); /* Line 7 / } / Line 8 */ void takeDemo(Demo demo) { demo = null; demo = new Demo(); } }

After line 7
After line 8
After the start() method completes
When the instance running this code is made eligible for garbage collection.

Correct Answer: When the instance running this code is made eligible for garbage collection.

Explanation:

Option D is correct. By a process of elimination.

Option A is wrong. The variable d is a member of the Test class and is never directly set to null.

Option B is wrong. A copy of the variable d is set to null and not the actual variable d.

Option C is wrong. The variable d exists outside the start() method (it is a class member). So, when the start() method finishes the variable d still holds a reference.

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When is the Demo object eligible for garbage collection? class Test { private Demo d; void start() { d = new Demo(); this.takeDemo(d); /* Line 7 */ } /* Line 8 */ void takeDemo(Demo demo) { demo = null; demo = new Demo(); } }

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When is the Demo object eligible for garbage collection? class Test { private Demo d; void start() { d = new Demo(); this.takeDemo(d); /* Line 7 / } / Line 8 */ void takeDemo(Demo demo) { demo = null; demo = new Demo(); } }