Question

What is the purpose of the 'numberInstances()' method in the 'MyClass' example?

a) To keep track of the number of objects currently active for the class
b) To finalize objects before they are garbage collected
c) To invoke other constructors
d) None of the above

Answer 1

The 'numberInstances()' method is used to keep track of the number of objects currently active for a class by incrementing a counter each time a new object is created.

Step-by-step explanation:

The method numberInstances() typically serves a very specific purpose in programming, especially in object-oriented programming languages. The correct answer to what this method is supposed to do in the MyClass example is option (a) To keep track of the number of objects currently active for the class. This method usually increments a static counter every time a new instance of the class is created, allowing the class itself or other classes to monitor how many instances are in use.

Option (b), To finalize objects before they are garbage collected, is incorrect because finalization is usually handled by a destructor or finalizer method, not by a method designed to track instances. Option (c), To invoke other constructors, is also incorrect; constructors are special methods that are automatically invoked when a new object is created, not by a numberInstances() method. Lastly, option (d) None of the above is not applicable since we have established that option (a) is the correct answer.