The runtime system may eventually reclaim the storage.
Garbage collection is automatic.
But sometimes there are ways to help it out. In such a case, this data structure cannot be garbage collected, even though it may no longer be in use. We haven't nullified the Object itself, just a no longer valid reference to it. Our Services Back to Home Page Java and all Java-based marks are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sun Microsystems, Inc. in the United States and other countries. Throughout this document, when the Java trademark appears alone it is a reference to the Java programming language.