The JavaTM platform provides the Java Native Interface (JNI), Reflections,
and Reference Objects APIs to give you a way to invoke native methods, get
information on loaded classes, and have limited interactions with the garbage
collector.
Reference Objects and Garbage
Collection by Monica Pawlan Release JDK 1.2
The Reference Objects API lets a program maintain a special reference to
an object so it can interact with the garbage collector. (August 1998)
Using Java Reflection
by Glen McCluskey Release JDK 1.1
Learn how JDKTM 1.1 Reflection enables dynamic retrieval of classes and
data structures by name. (January 1998)