object elligible for garbage collection

The question is : What is the earliest line after which the object created on //A is
eligible for garbage collection?
(Select one correct answer)
I thought was after line 3 but the answer is after line 2 anyone can explain me that ?

Thanks!
<code>
public class Test059
{
public static void main(String args[])
{
Byte b1 = new Byte("127"); //A
Byte b[] = new Byte[2];
b[1] = b1;
b1 = null; //1
b[1] = null; //2
System.out.println(b1); //3
System.out.println(b[1]); //4
}
}
</code>

Can't be after line 3, since line 3 doesn't do anything that would cause an object to become unreachable.

hahahahahahaha

Sorry I just read the line worng....

Sorry!!!

Hi, can you use the square brackets instead of the pointy ones for your code tags?

For my own clarification, wouldn't the object declared in the //A line be ready for garbage collection after line //1 beginning with //2?

Originally posted by Matt Kidd:
For my own clarification, wouldn't the object declared in the //A line be ready for garbage collection after line //1 beginning with //2?

b[1] is still referring to the object ("127") so at that point in time, that object is still not eligible for garbage collection...

How? Doesn't [CODE]b1 = null;[/CODE} take the reference away from the Byte object?

Yes but b[1] is still referencing the Byte object even though b1 has no reference to it anymore.

*grumble, grumble, grumble*
ebil twick question...juuuust ebil.
(After I posted I looked at the code again and I got that feeling in my gut that was the case)

Search your feelings Matt... you know them to be true