Don't understand why Set is not null

Question

I suppose the answer is straightforward but I don't see explanation.

Map<String, Set<String>> m = new HashMap<String, Set<String>>();
Set<String> a = new HashSet<String>();

a.add("a");
a.add("b");
a.add("c");

m.put("set", a); // reference    
a = null; // if I type a.remove("b"); variable m holds only a and c as it should

System.out.println(m.get("set")); // Why this prints [a, b, c] as it should null or empty

Answer 1

You have 1 set and 2 references to the set ( a and the reference inside the map).

You set one reference to null, but that doesn't mean all the other references would be set to null.

Imagine you're pointing at someone and I'm pointing at the same person. Just because you stop pointing, doesn't mean I'll stop pointing.

Once the reference inside the map is removed, the set is eligible for garbage collection.

Answer 2

You are setting the local variable to null not the reference inside the Map.

If you want to set both to null you have simple remove the Set from the Map.