Mastering Java: The Ultimate Quiz for 'Thinking in Java'

What is the result of using the assignment operator on object references in Java?

1. Creates a new object

2. Copies the reference from one variable to another

3. Increments the reference count

4. Allocates more memory

The correct answer is: Copies the reference from one variable to another

When using the assignment operator in Java, the reference from one variable is copied to another. This means that both variables will point to the same object in memory. This does not create a new object, change the number of references to the object, or allocate more memory. Therefore, options A, C, and D are incorrect. It is important to understand how references work in Java to avoid unexpected behavior when using the assignment operator.