A new thread object that has not been started will be garbage collected?

Question

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I have the source code from a Java Virtual Machine. This VM only garbage collect threads which fullfill these conditions (both conditions):

• Thread is finished ( started and finished )
• Thread object does not have any reference

I think it was supposed to garbage collect a not started thread with no refence . But these threads are being held in the VM memory. Is that correct ?

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Sample Code:

public class Test implements Runnable{

    private Thread thread;
    public Test() {
        thread = new Thread(this);
    }    

    @Override
    public void run() {
        //This thread never runs...
        //My question is about garbage collector in a situation like this...
    }    
}

Considering:

• Test object does not have reference anymore
• The Test object thread never started

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The Test thread will be garbage collected ?

Answer 1

An instance of Thread or Runnable class is like an instance of any other class. So, yes it will be GCed if the reference goes out of scope.

Note : You will first have to create an instance of Test .

A running thread acts as root for GC and will not be GCed. Its starting the thread (by calling start() that actually creates a executing thread and makes it special.