Questions tagged [finalize]

A finalize() is a special method in an object-oriented language that is executed when an object is garbage collected.

A finalize(), or a finalizer, is a special method in an object-oriented language that is executed when an object is garbage collected.

Java Documentation (Javadoc) defines the moment when the finalize() is invoked as:

Called by the garbage collector on an object when garbage collection determines that there are no more references to the object.

However, this may never happen in the life of a program if the object is always accessible. Due to the lack of programmer control over their execution, it is usually recommended to avoid finalizers for any but the most trivial operations.

Starting Java9. finalize() method has been officially deprecated. javadoc for Java9's java.lang.Object finalize()

228 questions
661
votes
24 answers

Is there a destructor for Java?

Is there a destructor for Java? I don't seem to be able to find any documentation on this. If there isn't, how can I achieve the same effect? To make my question more specific, I am writing an application that deals with data and the specification…
wai
  • 8,923
  • 4
  • 24
  • 19
394
votes
21 answers

Why would you ever implement finalize()?

I've been reading through a lot of the rookie Java questions on finalize() and find it kind of bewildering that no one has really made it plain that finalize() is an unreliable way to clean up resources. I saw someone comment that they use it to…
Spencer Kormos
  • 8,381
  • 3
  • 28
  • 45
367
votes
18 answers

When is the finalize() method called in Java?

I need to know when the finalize() method is called in the JVM. I created a test class which writes into a file when the finalize() method is called by overriding it. It is not executed. Can anybody tell me the reason why it is not executing?
Rajesh Kumar J
  • 4,745
  • 6
  • 26
  • 25
114
votes
3 answers

In C# what is the difference between a destructor and a Finalize method in a class?

What is the difference, if there is one, between a destructor and a Finalize method in a class? I recently discovered that Visual Studio 2008 considers a destructor synonymous with a Finalize method, meaning that Visual Studio won't let you…
Jeff Leonard
  • 3,284
  • 7
  • 29
  • 27
89
votes
2 answers

Difference between destructor, dispose and finalize method

I am studying how garbage collector works in c#. I am confused over the use of Destructor, Dispose and Finalize methods. As per my research and understandings, having a Destructor method within my class will tell the garbage collector to perform…
Victor Mukherjee
  • 10,487
  • 16
  • 54
  • 97
85
votes
7 answers

In Java, what purpose do the keywords `final`, `finally` and `finalize` fulfil?

In Java, what purpose do the keywords final, finally and finalize fulfil?
Pat R Ellery
  • 1,696
  • 3
  • 22
  • 40
55
votes
6 answers

how to destroy an object in java?

I encountered this question in an interview with following options: How to destroy an object in java? a. System.gc(); b. Runtime.getRuntime.gc(); c. object.delete(); d. object.finalize(); e. Java performs gc by itself, no need to do it…
nr5
  • 4,228
  • 8
  • 42
  • 82
53
votes
4 answers

How do you export your finished application from Xcode?

I feel silly for having to ask this. I've got an application to a point where I want to send someone a beta to test on their machine, but I don't know how to get Xcode to produce a .app file for me to send to them. Help?
Kaji
  • 2,220
  • 6
  • 30
  • 45
50
votes
1 answer

How can I find out what's causing differences in generated Sandcastle docs?

In Noda Time, we generate our documentation using Sandcastle and SHFB. We then commit the documentation back into the source repository - primarily because that makes it easy to view the latest (and historical) docs. I'm the primary developer for…
Jon Skeet
  • 1,421,763
  • 867
  • 9,128
  • 9,194
42
votes
1 answer

How to implement finalize() in kotlin?

Today I'm implementing a Closeable in kotlin, and as I have done in java in the past, I want to implement a finalize() as a last resort fallback in case the client code forgets to close it, rendering critical resource un-reclaimed. I consider this…
glee8e
  • 6,180
  • 4
  • 31
  • 51
41
votes
6 answers

Should Java finalizer really be avoided also for native peer objects lifecycle management?

In my experience as a C++/Java/Android developer, I have come to learn that finalizers are almost always a bad idea, the only exception being the management of a "native peer" object needed by the java one to call C/C++ code through JNI. I am aware…
athos
  • 1,281
  • 3
  • 14
  • 24
37
votes
9 answers

Why is the finalize() method in java.lang.Object "protected"?

Out of curiosity, Why is the finalize() method's access modifier is made as protected. Why cant it be public? Can someone explain me any specific reason behind this? Also, I came to know that finalize() method is called only once. If I call it twice…
bragboy
  • 34,892
  • 30
  • 114
  • 171
32
votes
2 answers

Dispose() for cleaning up managed resources?

In this answer I found, Cleanup the unmanaged resources in the Finalize method and the managed ones in the Dispose method, when the Dispose/Finalize pattern has been used in your code. And later I found this nice article about finalize and…
Sharun
  • 3,022
  • 6
  • 30
  • 59
31
votes
1 answer

Why is the finalize() method deprecated in Java 9?

(This question is different from Why would you ever implement finalize()? This question is about deprecation from the Java platform, and the other question is about whether one should use this mechanism in applications.) Why is the finalize() method…
J.J. Beam
  • 2,612
  • 2
  • 26
  • 55
30
votes
6 answers

Java Interview Question: finalize() method

I was given the following phrase in an interview: The invocation of an Object's finalize() method is the last thing that happens before an object is garbaged collected. I had to answer by: True False I've chosen True but it was wrong. Can…
Andrei Ciobanu
  • 12,500
  • 24
  • 85
  • 118
1
2 3
15 16