Memory from Integer Array

[Diesel]

int[] intArray;

intArray = new int[5];

intArray.SetValue(1, 0);
intArray.SetValue(1, 1);
intArray.SetValue(1, 2);
intArray.SetValue(1, 3);
intArray.SetValue(1, 4);

intArray = new int[0];

 

 

What happens to the data that was previously there? Can the gc pick it up? Should I care?

[PlausiblyDamp]

Once intArray points to the new array as long as no other variable referes to the old array then the GC will be able to collect the memory. Note that it will not be immediatly collected though, just whenever the GC kicks in next.

[BlackStone]

Just once were on the subject on arrays in memory, are integers in the array boxed? Is there a decrease in performance because of this?

[Nerseus]

They should not be boxed because the array is an int array. If you stored them in an object array then they would be. Same is true for an ArrayList, which stores objects only.

 

I wouldn't worry too much about boxing/unboxing. True, there is a performance "hit" but I've yet to see it as an issue in any performance testing I've done.

 

-ner