GC Clarification

[Vidyavathi saravanan]

public class TestQ38 {
 public static void main (String[] args){
    Object obj = buildTest( 3 ) ;
    System.gc();
    System.out.println("exiting");
 }
 
 public static TestQ38 buildTest(int n ){  
   TestQ38 t = null ; 
   for( int i = 0 ; i < n ; i++ ){
    t = new TestQ38( i ) ;
   }
   return t ; 
 }
 String name ;
 public TestQ38( int n ){
   name = "Number " + n ; 
 }
 
 public void finalize(){
  System.out.print("finalize " + name ) ; 
 }
}

Answer options:
Assume that garbage collection runs and all elligible objects are collected and finalized.
A It does not compile due to incorrect signature of the finalize method.
B It compiles but no text is written when it runs due to incorrect signature of the finalize method.
C Before "exiting" is written, 2 messages from finalize will be printed.
D Before "exiting" is written, 3 messages from finalize will be printed

Which one would be the answer?
(code tag fixed and missing }s added )
[ November 09, 2004: Message edited by: Barry Gaunt ]

[Jay Pawar]

I think the answer should be option C. There are two objects which are eligible for garbage collection.
They are the ones which are generated when i=0; and i=1; the object created when i=2; has reference t and obj.

Hope that helps you.
[ November 08, 2004: Message edited by: Jay Pawar ]

[Joyce Lee]

Hi Vidyavathi,

I think none of the answers are correct. Even with the assumption that the garbage collector is run, the 2 messages could be printed before or after the "exiting".

Joyce

[Barry Gaunt]

Joyce is correct. I have just compiled and run the program to get:

exiting
finalize Number 1finalize Number 0

[PNS Subramanian]

Assume we face a question like the one above, aren't we suppose to go with option (c) since thats the only possibility ?

[Barry Gaunt]

No, you write to the author of the mock exam and tell them they're wrong.