What is reference variable c initialized to?

A good answer might be:

c is initialized to a reference to a String object containing no characters. This is most certainly a different value than null.

A String object that contains no characters is still an object. It is similar to having a blank sheet of paper, versus having no paper at all. Overlooking this distinction is one of the classic confusions of computer programming. It will happen to you. It still happens to me. To prepare for future confusion, study the program, step-by-step:

class nullDemo1
{
  public static void main (String[] arg)
  {
    String a = "Random Jottings";   // 1.  an object is created; 
                                    //     variable a refers to it
    String b = null;                // 2.  variable b refers to no object.
    String c = "";                  // 3.  an object is created 
                                    //     (containing no characters); 
                                    //     variable c refers to it

    if ( a != null )                // 4.  ( a != null ) is true, so
       System.out.println( a );     // 5.  the println( a ) executes.
                                              
    if ( b != null )                // 6.  ( b != null ) is false, so
       System.out.println( b );     // 7.  the println( b ) is skipped.

    if ( c != null )                // 8.  ( c != null ) is true, so
       System.out.println( c );     // 9.  the println( c ) executes.
                                    //     (but it has no characters to print.) 
  }
}    

The System.out.println() method expects a reference to a String object as a parameter. The example program tests that each variable contains a String reference before calling println() with it. (Actually, println() will not crash if it gets a null. But some methods will. Usually you should insure that methods get the data they expect).

QUESTION 4:

Examine the following code snippet:

String alpha = "Dempster Dumpster";

alpha = null;

1. Where is an object constructed?
2. What becomes of that object?