To determine how many of the code fragments, inserted independently at line 12, compile, let's analyze each option:
Option A) public static void main(String...a) - This option will not compile because the variable name in the main method parameter is missing. The correct syntax is "String[] a".
Option B) public static void main(String.* a) - This option will not compile because the syntax "String.* a" is not valid. The correct syntax is "String[] a".
Option C) public static void main(String... a) - This option will compile because it uses the correct syntax for the main method parameter, which is "String[] a".
Option D) public static void main(String[]... a) - This option will compile because it uses the correct syntax for the main method parameter, which is "String[] a".
Option E) public static void main(String...[] a) - This option will not compile because the syntax "String...[] a" is not valid. The correct syntax is "String[] a".
Therefore, out of the given options, options C) and D) will compile independently at line 12. So the correct answer is D) 3 options.