Creating a list of objects in Java

Question

So I was thinking of creating a list of objects like this

ArrayList<Obj> lst = new ArrayList<Obj>(10);
for (int i = 0; i < 10; i++) {
  Obj elem = new Obj();
  lst.add(elem);
}

Is this legal or do I have to worry about Object 1 getting trashed when the elem reference starts pointing to Object 2? If it's illegal, how might I do it otherwise? Is there a way to automatically generate ten different reference names?

No you only have to worry about Object 1 getting trashed when there are no references left to the lst structure. The elem reference is "fresh" each time. — Adam
– Adam, Commented Mar 9, 2012 at 23:52
Your two lines inside the loop can also be written as lst.add(new Obj()); — user330315
– user330315, Commented Mar 9, 2012 at 23:53

xpda · Accepted Answer · 2013-01-22 03:07:30Z

5

Garbage Collector will remove objects only when there are no references pointing to it. In your case, your list will be pointing to 10 distinct Object objects and they are safe until you lose reference to lst Object.

edited Jan 22, 2013 at 3:07

xpda

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answered Mar 9, 2012 at 23:56

Magesh khanna

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Comments

Jeffrey · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-09 23:51:22Z

3

It's perfectly legal. Your ArrayList will contain a reference to the object you just created, so it will not be GCed.

answered Mar 9, 2012 at 23:51

Jeffrey

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Comments

Vincent Ramdhanie · Accepted Answer · 2012-03-09 23:52:20Z

1

Your approach is perfectly valid. You will end up with a list of ten distinct objects.

answered Mar 9, 2012 at 23:52

Vincent Ramdhanie

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