public class X
{
public static void main(String [] args)
{
X x = new X();
X x2 = m1(x); /* Line 6 */
X x4 = new X();
x2 = x4; /* Line 8 */
doComplexStuff();
}
static X m1(X mx)
{
mx = new X();
return mx;
}
}
After line 8 runs. how many objects are eligible for garbage collection?
Answer: B
By the time line 8 has run, the only object without a reference is the one generated as a result of line 6. Remember that "Java is pass by value," so the reference variable x is not affected by the m1() method.
Ref: http://www.javaworld.com/javaworld/javaqa/2000-05/03-qa-0526-pass.html