Mail From Herbert Schildt

A few months back I was asked by a student about the size of an object reference in Java. I didn't bother much about the size of object reference ever. So, when I came across a few students, who got through some of the Java certification exams, I asked them about the size of object reference. I thought, as they prepared for certification examination, they might have worried about the size of object reference. But even they said they have no idea and promised they would get back to me with the answer if they get.

Then I came across email address of Herbert Schildt - a well known author of many books on programming languages. I have read a lot of books of Herbert Schildt, starting from C Made Easy to C# complete reference. I have always appreciated his work and have high respect for his authoring skills. For me he is certainly one of the best authors when it comes to writing about programming languages.

I very casually sent a mail seeking the answer without expecting any reply from him. Here is what wrote in that mail. I am putting the mail as-it-is.

Hello Sir,

I have been reading your books since the days of C Made Easy.

I am a big fan of your books and strongly recommend your books. I 
am a trainer of .NET and Java.

I have a small question.  How many bytes does an object reference 
in Java occupy?

Thank you Sir,
Srikanth,
India.

After a few days I was very much taken by surprise as I received a mail from Herbert Schildt. Again I am putting the content of the mail as it-was-sent to me.

Date: Sat, 17 Jun 2006 10:01:38 -0400 (EDT) 
Subject: Re: Question 
From: herb@herbschildt.com
To: "srikanth pragada" <srikanthpragada@yahoo.com> 

Srikanth:

Thanks for you kind words. They are very much appreciated!

As to size of object reference?  I will need to check on this.  To be
honest, I have not thought about this before. and I want to make sure 
that I have the correct answer.

Thanks,

Herb Schildt

I was more than happy to receive a mail from larger than life figure like Herbert Schildt. I opened and read the content with immense interest. I found the content very interesting. I have a few comments to make regarding this mail.

It proves that not everyone knows everything. Make no mistake Herbert Schildt is the author of best selling book - "Java: The Complete Reference". There may be a thing or two you may miss in spite of being a Guru.
Being frank is more appreciated than being fake.
By admitting he doesn't know, Herbert Schildt has not lost any respect I had for him and instead I respect him more than before for his admission. Remember, had he not sent the mail, I would be under the notion that Herbert Schildt was too busy to reply to me. He didn't do that.