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During

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initialization

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of

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a

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shared

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object,

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the

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object

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must

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be

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accessible

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only to

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the

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thread

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constructing

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it.

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However,

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the

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object

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can

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be

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published safely

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(that

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is,

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made

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visible

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to

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other

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threads)

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once its initialization is complete. The Java memory model (JMM) allows multiple threads to observe the object after its initialization has begun but before it has concluded. Consequently, programs must prevent publication of partially initialized objects.

This rule prohibits publishing a reference to a partially initialized member object instance before initialization has concluded. It specifically applies to safety in multithreaded code. TSM01-J. Do not let the this reference escape during object construction prohibits the this reference of the current object from escaping its constructor. OBJ11-J. Be wary of letting constructors throw exceptions describes the consequences of publishing partially initialized objects even in single-threaded programs.

Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example constructs a Helper object in the initialize() method of the Foo class. The Helper object's fields are initialized by its constructor.

 it is initialized.  The [Java Memory Model (JMM)|BB. Definitions#Java Memory Model] allows multiple threads to observe the object after its initialization has begun, but before it has concluded. Consequently, it is important to ensure that a partially initialized object is not published.

This guideline differs from other guidelines in that it prohibits publishing a reference to a partially initialized member object instance before initialization completes while [CON14-J. Do not let the "this" reference escape during object construction] refers to the {{this}} reference of the current object.

h2. Noncompliant Code Example

This noncompliant code example constructs a {{Helper}} object in the {{initialize()}} method of class {{Foo}}. The {{helper}} field is initialized by {{Helper}}'s constructor.

{code:bgColor=#FFCCCC}
class Foo {
  private Helper helper;

  public Helper getHelper() {
    return helper;
  }

  public void initialize() {
    helper = new Helper(42);
  }
}

public class Helper {
  private int n;

  public Helper(int n) {
    this.n = n;
  }
  // ...
}
{code}

If

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a

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thread were to access helper using the getHelper()

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method

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before

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the initialize() method executed, the thread would observe an uninitialized helper field. Later, if one thread calls initialize() and another calls getHelper(), the second thread could observe one of the following:

• The helper reference as null
• A fully initialized Helper object with the n field set to 42
• A partially initialized Helper object with an uninitialized n, which contains the default value 0

In particular, the JMM permits compilers to allocate memory for the new Helper object and to assign a reference to that memory to the helper field before initializing the new Helper object. In other words, the compiler can reorder the write to the helper instance field and the write that initializes the Helper object (that is, this.n = n) so that the former occurs first. This can expose a race window during which other threads can observe a partially initialized Helper object instance.

There is a separate issue: if more than one thread were to call initialize(), multiple Helper objects would be created. This is merely a performance issue—correctness would be preserved. The n field of each object would be properly initialized and the unused Helper object (or objects) would eventually be garbage-collected.

Compliant Solution (Synchronization)

Appropriate use of method synchronization can prevent publication of references to partially initialized objects, as shown in this compliant solution:

}} has been called, the thread will observe an uninitialized {{helper}} field. Later, if one thread calls {{initialize()}}, and another calls {{getHelper()}}, the second thread might observe the {{helper}} reference as {{null}}, or it might observe a fully-initialized {{Helper}} object with the {{n}} field set to 42, or it might observe a partially-initialized {{Helper}} object with an uninitialized  {{n}} which contains the default value {{0}}.

In particular, the [JMM|BB. Definitions#memory model] permits compilers to allocate memory for the new {{Helper}} object and assign it to the {{helper}} field before initializing it. In other words, the compiler can reorder the write to the {{helper}} instance field with the write that initializes the {{Helper}} object (that is, {{this.n = n}}) such that the former occurs first. This exposes a race window during which other threads may observe a partially-initialized {{Helper}} object instance.

There is a separate issue in that, if two threads call {{initialize()}}, then two {{Helper}} objects are created. This is a performance issue and not a correctness issue because {{n}} will be properly initialized and the unused {{Helper}} objects will be garbage-collected. 

h2. Compliant Solution (Synchronization)

Publishing partially-constructed object reference can be prevented by using method synchronization, as shown by this compliant solution.

{code:bgColor=#CCCCFF}
class Foo {
  private Helper helper;

  public synchronized Helper getHelper() {
    return helper;
  }

  public synchronized void initialize() {
    helper = new Helper(42);
  }
}
{code}

Synchronizing

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both

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methods

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guarantees

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that

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they

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cannot execute

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concurrently.

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If

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one

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thread were to call initialize()

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just

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before

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another

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thread

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called getHelper()

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,

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the

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synchronized

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initialize()

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method would always finish first.

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The

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synchronized

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keywords

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establish

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a

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happens-before

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relationship

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between

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the

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two

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threads. Consequently, the thread calling getHelper() would see either the fully initialized Helper object or an absent Helper object (that is, helper would contain a null reference). This approach guarantees proper publication both for immutable and mutable members.

Compliant Solution (Final Field)

The JMM guarantees that the fully initialized values of fields that are declared final are safely published to every thread that reads those values at some point no earlier than the end of the object's constructor.

class Foo {
  private final Helper helper;

  public Helper getHelper() {
    return helper;
  }

  public Foo This guarantees that the thread calling {{getHelper()}} sees the fully initialized {{Helper}} object or none at all (that is, {{helper}} contains a {{null}} reference). This approach guarantees proper publication for both immutable and mutable members.


h2. Compliant Solution (Final Field)

If the {{helper}} field is declared as {{final}}, it is guaranteed to be fully constructed before its reference is made visible. 

{code:bgColor=#CCCCFF}
class Foo {
  private final Helper helper;

  public Helper getHelper() {
    return helper;
  }

  public Foo() {// Point 1
    helper = new Helper(42);
    }
}
{code// Point 2
  }
}

However,

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this

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solution

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requires

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the assignment of a new Helper instance to helper from Foo's constructor. According to The Java Language Specification, §17.5.2,

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"Reading

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Final

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Fields

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During

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Construction"

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[JLS 2015]:

A read of a final field of an object within the thread that constructs that object is ordered with respect to the initialization of that field within the constructor by the usual happens-before rules. If the read occurs after the field is set in the constructor, it sees the value the final field is assigned; otherwise, it sees the default value.

Consequently, the reference to the helper instance should remain unpublished until the Foo class's constructor has completed (see TSM01-J. Do not let the this reference escape during object construction for additional information).

Compliant Solution (Final Field and Thread-Safe Composition)

Some collection classes provide thread-safe access to contained elements. When a Helper object is inserted into such a collection, it is guaranteed to be fully initialized before its reference is made visible. This compliant solution encapsulates the helper field in a Vector<Helper>.

[JLS 05|AA. Java References#JLS 05]\]:

{quote}
A read of a {{final}} field of an object within the thread that constructs that object is ordered with respect to the initialization of that field within the constructor by the usual happens-before rules. If the read occurs after the field is set in the constructor, it sees the value the {{final}} field is assigned, otherwise it sees the default value.
{quote}

Consequently, the reference to the {{helper}} field should not be published before class {{Foo}}'s constructor has finished its initialization (see [CON14-J. Do not let the "this" reference escape during object construction]). 


h2. Compliant Solution (Final Field and Thread-safe Composition)

Some collection classes provide thread-safe access to contained elements. If the {{Helper}} object is inserted into such a collection, it is guaranteed to be fully initialized before its reference is made visible. This compliant solution encapsulates the {{helper}} field in a {{Vector<Helper>}}. 

{code:bgColor=#CCCCFF}
class Foo {
  private final Vector<Helper> helper;

  public Foo() {
    helper = new Vector<Helper>();
  
  }

  public Helper getHelper() {
    if (helper.isEmpty()) {
      initialize();
    }
    return helper.elementAt(0);
  }

  public synchronized void initialize() {
    if (helper.isEmpty()) {
      helper.add(new Helper(42));
    }
  }
}
{code}

The {{helper}} field is declared as {{final}} to guarantee that the vector is created before any accesses take place. It can be safely initialized by the {{initialize()}} method, which is synchronized and checks that only one {{Helper}} object is ever added to the vector.  If {{getHelper()}} is invoked before {{initialize()}}, it calls {{initialize()}} to avoid the possibility of a null-pointer dereference by the client. The {{getHelper()}} method does not require synchronization to simply return {{Helper}}, and because the synchronized {{initialize()}} method also checks to make sure {{helper}} is empty before adding a new {{Helper}} object, there is no possibility of exploiting a race condition to add a second object to the vector. 


h2. Compliant Solution (Static Initialization)

In this compliant solution, the {{helper}} field is initialized in a {{static}} block. When initialized statically, an object is guaranteed to be fully initialized before its reference is made visible. 

{code:bgColor=#CCCCFF}

The helper field is declared final to guarantee that the vector is always created before any accesses take place. It can be initialized safely by invoking the synchronized initialize() method, which ensures that only one Helper object is ever added to the vector. If invoked before initialize(), the getHelper() avoids the possibility of a null-pointer dereference by conditionally invoking initialize(). Although the isEmpty() call in getHelper() is made from an unsynchronized context (which permits multiple threads to decide that they must invoke initialize) race conditions that could result in addition of a second object to the vector are nevertheless impossible. The synchronized initialize() method also checks whether helper is empty before adding a new Helper object, and at most one thread can execute initialize() at any time. Consequently, only the first thread to execute initialize() can ever see an empty vector and the getHelper() method can safely omit any synchronization of its own.

Compliant Solution (Static Initialization)

In this compliant solution, the helper field is initialized statically, ensuring that the object referenced by the field is fully initialized before its reference becomes visible:

// Immutable Foo
final class Foo {
  private static final Helper helper = new Helper(42);

  public static Helper getHelper() {
    return helper;
  } 
}
{code}

This requires the {{helper}} field to be declared {{static}}. Although not a requirement, it is recommended that the field be declared {{final}} to document the class's immutability.

According to 

The helper field should be declared final to document the class's immutability.

According to JSR-133,

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Section

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9.2.3,

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"Static

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Final

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Fields"

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[JSR-133 2004]:

The rules for class initialization ensure that any thread that reads a static field will be synchronized with the static initialization of that class, which is the only place where static final fields can be set. Thus, no special rules in the JMM are needed for static final fields.

Compliant Solution (Immutable Object - Final Fields, Volatile Reference)

The JMM guarantees that any final fields of an object are fully initialized before a published object becomes visible [Goetz 2006a]. By declaring n final, the Helper class is made immutable. Furthermore, if the helper field is declared volatile in compliance with VNA01-J. Ensure visibility of shared references to immutable objects, Helper's reference is guaranteed to be made visible to any thread that calls getHelper() only after Helper has been fully initialized.

 04|AA. Java References#JSR-133 04]\]:

{quote}
The rules for class initialization ensure that any thread that reads a {{static}} field will be synchronized with the static initialization of that class, which is the only place where {{static final}} fields can be set. Thus, no special rules in the JMM are needed for {{static final}} fields.
{quote}

h2. Compliant Solution (Immutable object - Final fields, Volatile Reference)

The Java memory model guarantees that any final fields of an object are fully initialized before a published object becomes visible \[[Goetz 06|AA. Java References#Goetz 06]\]. By declaring {{n}} as final, the {{Helper}} class is made [immutable|BB. Definitions#immutable]. Furthermore, if the {{helper}} field is declared {{volatile}} in compliance with [CON09-J. Ensure visibility of shared references to immutable objects], {{Helper}}'s reference is guaranteed to be made visible to any thread that calls {{getHelper()}} after {{Helper}} has been fully initialized.

{code:bgColor=#CCCCFF}
class Foo {
  private volatile Helper helper;

  public Helper getHelper() {
    return helper;
  }

  public void initialize() {
    helper = new Helper(42);
  }
}

// Immutable Helper
public final class Helper {
  private final int n;

  public Helper(int n) {
    this.n = n;
  }
  // ...
}
{code}

This

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compliant

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solution

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requires

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that helper be declared volatile and that class Helper is immutable. If the helper field were not volatile, it would violate VNA01-J. Ensure visibility of shared references to immutable objects.

Providing a public static factory method that returns a new instance of Helper is both permitted and encouraged. This approach allows the Helper instance to be created in a private constructor.

Compliant Solution (Mutable Thread-Safe Object, Volatile Reference)

When Helper is mutable but thread-safe, it can be published safely by declaring the helper field in the Foo class volatile:

class Foo {
  private volatile Helper helper;

  public Helper getHelper() {
    return helper;
  }

  public void initialize() {
    helper = new Helper(42);
  }
}

// Mutable but thread-safe Helper
public class Helper {
  private volatile int n;
  private final Object lock = new Object();

  public Helper(int n) {
    this.n = n;

  }

  public void setN(int value) {
    synchronized (lock) {
      n = value;
    }
  }
}

Synchronization is required to ensure the visibility of mutable members after initial publication because the Helper object can change state after its construction. This compliant solution synchronizes the setN() method to guarantee the visibility of the n field.

If the Helper class were synchronized incorrectly, declaring helper volatile in the Foo class would guarantee only the visibility of the initial publication of Helper; the visibility guarantee would exclude visibility of subsequent state changes. Consequently, volatile references alone are inadequate for publishing objects that are not thread-safe.

If the helper field in the Foo class is not declared volatile, the n field must be declared volatile to establish a happens-before relationship between the initialization of n and the write of Helper to the helper field. This is required only when the caller (class Foo) cannot be trusted to declare helper volatile.

Because the Helper class is declared public, it uses a private lock to handle synchronization in conformance with LCK00-J. Use private final lock objects to synchronize classes that may interact with untrusted code.

Exceptions

TSM03-J-EX0: Classes that prevent partially initialized objects from being used may publish partially initialized objects. This could be implemented, for example, by setting a volatile Boolean flag in the last statement of the initializing code and checking whether the flag is set before allowing class methods to execute.

The following compliant solution shows this technique:

public class Helper {
  private int n;
  private volatile boolean initialized; // Defaults to false

  public Helper(int n) {
    this.n = n;
    this.initialized = true;
  }

  public void doSomething() {
    if (!initialized) {
      throw new SecurityException(
          "Cannot use partially initialized instance");
    }
    // ...
  }
  // ...
}

This technique ensures that if a reference to the Helper object instance were published before its initialization was complete, the instance would be unusable because each method within Helper checks the flag to determine whether the initialization has finished.

Risk Assessment

Failure to synchronize access to shared mutable data can cause different threads to observe different states of the object or to observe a partially initialized object.

Automated Detection

Bibliography

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