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Garbage collection

 
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Hi,

This is one of the questions from Dan's mock exams

class B {
private String name;
public B(String name) {this.name = name;}
public String toString() {return name;}
protected void finalize() {System.out.print(name);}
}
class H {
static B ba = new B("Ba");
static int i = 1;
static B m1(B b) {return b = new B("B" + i++);}
public static void main (String[] args) {
B x = m1(ba); m1(x);
System.out.println(", " + ba + ", " + x);
}}

The answers are given as ,Ba, B1 or B2, Ba, B1.

But my question is on the second call to method m1 with an argument x, the return type is of Object B. There should be a reference to B in the main function which can take the return value. calling just m1(x) will cause compiler error, as the function m1 returns an object.

Please clarify me if I am wrong.
 
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Sharanya,

Thank you for using my exam.

Ignoring the information returned by a method does not generate a compile-time error.

I know that my answer does not provide a lot of information, so please feel free to ask for more information if necessary.
 
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Dan,
i ran the above program in jbuilder. it gives the answer ,Ba,B1. its correct
how did u get the second ans B2,Ba,B1 ..(reference sharanya)
 
Dan Chisholm
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Nadarajah,

After the execution of the method invocation expression m1(x) the object created in method m1 is eligible for garbage collection. The name of that instance is B2. If the garbage collector ran as soon as B2 became eligible for garbage collection, then the output of the program would be B2, Ba, B1.
 
Don't get me started about those stupid light bulbs.
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