When is the Float object, created in line 3, eligible for garbage collection? public Object m()
{
Object o = new Float(3.14F);
Object [] oa = new Object[l];
oa[0] = o; /* Line 5 */
o = null; /* Line 6 */
oa[0] = null; …

Question

When is the Float object, created in line 3, eligible for garbage collection? public Object m() 
{  
    Object o = new Float(3.14F); 
    Object [] oa = new Object[l];
    oa[0] = o; /* Line 5 */
    o = null;  /* Line 6 */
    oa[0] = null; …

Accepted Answer

Option A is wrong. This simply copies the object reference into the array.

Option B is wrong. The reference o is set to null, but, oa[0] still maintains the reference to the Float object.

Option C is correct. …

When is the Float object, created in line 3, eligible for garbage collection? public Object m() { Object o = new Float(3.14F); Object [] oa = new Object[l]; oa[0] = o; /* Line 5 / o = null; / Line 6 / oa[0] = null; / Line 7 / return o; / Line 8 */ }

Discussion & Comments

When is the Float object, created in line 3, eligible for garbage collection? public Object m() { Object o = new Float(3.14F); Object [] oa = new Object[l]; oa[0] = o; /* Line 5 */ o = null; /* Line 6 */ oa[0] = null; /* Line 7 */ return o; /* Line 8 */ }

Discussion & Comments

When is the Float object, created in line 3, eligible for garbage collection? public Object m() { Object o = new Float(3.14F); Object [] oa = new Object[l]; oa[0] = o; /* Line 5 / o = null; / Line 6 / oa[0] = null; / Line 7 / return o; / Line 8 */ }