why finalize() can't be defined as private?

[lucy hu]

who call the finalize() method?

[John Wetherbie]

The finalize method is called by the garbage collector.
The reason that the finalize method can't be private (or have default/package accessibility) is that it is defined as protected in the Object class and Java does not allow you make an overridden method in a derived class less accessible than the method it is overriding. Since private is more restrictive than protected you can't do this.
John

[lucy hu]

where does gc come from? is it an object or a class?

[asim wagan]

Hi! GC means the garbage collector. Java has a automatic mechanism for recovering the memory from destroyed objects. The JVM contains a special utility known as Garbage Collector which helps the system to collect the memory.