In java, how can we destruct an instance of a class from a method within the class

Question

I approached it similar to the case of deleting any usual object, ie, simply making the reference null and letting the Garbage Collector do its job.

However for equating to null within a class, the only reference to the object is "this". So is the code for the following class valid:

class A{
  public A(){
    //Init
  }

  public void method destruct(){
    if(someCondition){
      this=null;  //Is this statement valid? Why / Why not?
    }
  }
}

Answer 1

You don't "destruct" objects in Java. This is wrong-headed. Don't do it.

Objects are created on the heap in Java. They live as long as there's a reference that points to them. The garbage collector cleans up the mess.

You should certainly do what you can to make sure that you don't accumulate and hold onto references unnecessarily (e.g. Listeners in Swing).

But your proposal is not the right thing at all. Cease and desist.