Question

Object Garbage Collection Referance

Asked by: sumant2000

Please let me know how can I find out from java code that if any other object is referring some object.

I have application in which I am invoking System.gc(); but still it goes out of memory. So it seems that objects are not garbage collected because object is in use , is referred by some other objects.

Is there a way in java , how to find out that particular object 'X' is referred by how many other objects.

please give me api names or give me code.
Thanks
Sumant

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Asked On
2002-12-20 at 22:56:26ID20433296
Topic

Java Programming Language

Participating Experts
5
Points
400
Comments
7

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Answers

 

by: jpmcgrathPosted on 2002-12-21 at 00:19:17ID: 7616703

There is no way to determine this in Java code.

It sounds like you are trying to debug your application, rather than you need your application to be able to determine this.  What you really need for that is a debugging tool that can trace object references.

Borland's Optimizeit will do this for you.  You can find an object, what references exist referring to it, and what references exist referring to the objects that hold those references, etc.  It will display the entire reference chain, allowing you to understand why your object is not being garbage collected.

Another tool that does the same thing is Sitraka's JProbe, although I have not used it.  There may be others, but these are the two better known tools.

 

by: CEHJPosted on 2002-12-21 at 02:43:35ID: 7616922

You need to do this by using a java.lang.ref.SoftReference. This will get you started:
http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/TechTips/1999/tt0511.html#tip2

 

by: heyhey_Posted on 2002-12-21 at 03:33:22ID: 7617026

> Is there a way in java , how to find out that particular object 'X' is referred by how many other objects.

as already mentioned - you need profiler to find out what is happening. try optimizeit.

 

by: CEHJPosted on 2002-12-21 at 03:48:38ID: 7617063

My suggestion, btw, involves a slightly different approach. That is, you build in defensive code around resources that allows you to have finer control over memory. If you just want to fix existing faults with minimal code changes, then use a profiler as already suggested.

 

by: heyhey_Posted on 2002-12-21 at 04:12:01ID: 7617104

> ... If you just want to fix existing faults ...

wrong. should be

" ... if you want to IDENTIFY existing faults ..."

after the problem is identified, you can start reworking the code. (I have nothing against SoftReference, but it does not magically solve problems)

 

by: CleanupPingPosted on 2003-08-03 at 05:59:37ID: 9060370

sumant2000:
This old question needs to be finalized -- accept an answer, split points, or get a refund.  For information on your options, please click here-> http:/help/closing.jsp#1
EXPERTS:
Post your closing recommendations!  No comment means you don't care.

 

by: VenabiliPosted on 2003-08-22 at 12:10:51ID: 9205929

No comment has been added lately, so it's time to clean up this TA.
I will leave a recommendation in the Cleanup topic area that this question is:

- Split points between jpmcgrath,  CEHJ and heyhey_

Please leave any comments here within the next seven days.

PLEASE DO NOT ACCEPT THIS COMMENT AS AN ANSWER!

Venabili
EE Cleanup Volunteer

20120131-EE-VQP-002

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