reference counting gc

Hi,

I am doing a research on garbage collectors. I am implementing a reference counting gc for java. I found that Jnode is a great place for my research. I signed up, downloaded and went through the code. I am getting stuck at a specific point and need help.

When a method returns, current frame will be discarded(Frames as explained in vmspec 3.6). I need to capture this and decrement the reference counters for all references in the frame. I am unable to see where this is happenning.

I looked at method visit_ret() and visit_return() org.jnode.vm.x86.compiler.l1a.X86BytecodeVisitor. I expect the code that will release the memory occupied by frame, which inturn reset some of the bits in memory bitmap elsewhere. But what I found is just a JMP statement being emitted. Am I looking at the wrong place?...

Is there any documentation available that puts memory management in perspective?.. Otherwise I can help create one after understanding it.

ABOUT JNODE
jnode is extremely interesting.. I wanted to get involved in some opensource project for a long time but never got into one since they generally tend to be either too complex and entry inertia is very high or they are too simple. But I think having a OS in a package as small as jnode is very inviting. With little bit of help and some time, I should entirely understand the core module.

ABOUT ME
I passed my computer science diploma in Chennai, India by 1993. Designed my own 4-bit microprocessor when I was 16years(my 2nd year at diploma). Took to java in 1999 and never looked back. Have interests in machine learning.

Thanks & Cheers
prem