About Question enthuware.ocajp.i.v7.2.919 :

[admin]

yes, right.

[shambhavi]

thanks !

[Sergey]

Once a method returns all the variables that it created are gone. The stack space (where all the automatic variables are kept) is cleared up and reclaimed. So there is no question of a variable hanging on to an object after the method returns.

based on this explanation (from another question 7.2.921) i should think that object can be garbage collected after "return" statement i.e. after line 4.
Where am i wrong?

[admin]

The variables of this method are indeed gone after the method returns. But in this case the return statement returns the reference to the object to the caller.

[flex567]

Why is answer nr. 5 not a correct option?

[admin]

Because it can be determined the object can never be garbage collected in this method. Option 4 and 5 are contradictory. So, if 4 is correct, 5 cannot be correct.

[flex567]

Had there been no Option 4, The Option 5 would be correct ?

[admin]

In that case, yes.

[ethanaidenies]

Hi,I get your point @inaelrodrigues. Honestly,
I chose the same answer.
For me, after line 3, the references a, b and c point to null, so the object itself is eligible for garbage collection from that point (line 3) and not later.

[michaelrfarcasin]

For this question, it seems to me that both answers 4 and 5 are correct. In other words, the object will never be eligible for garbage collection in this method, and also we cannot determine when it will be eligible for garbage collection based on the information provided. It'll surely be somewhere outside this method when the object stops being referenced, but we can't determine when that will be.

How can I choose between these two answers when I take the exam?

[admin]

If you have to select one option then //4 is correct based on the information is given. "Cannot be determined" is in the context of the given code. The question does not ask you to assume anything about what is happening outside of the given code and so that should not be considered for selecting the correct answer.