Which of the following statements is true about mutable and immutable ...
Immutable strings are created using the 'String' class in Java, and their values cannot be modified after creation.
Which of the following statements is true about mutable and immutable ...
Immutable Strings in Java
Immutable strings in Java are strings that cannot be changed once they are created. This means that any operation that appears to modify an immutable string actually creates a new string with the desired modifications. The original string remains unchanged.
Advantages of Immutable Strings
There are several advantages to using immutable strings in Java:
1. Thread Safety: Immutable strings are inherently thread-safe because they cannot be modified. Multiple threads can access and use the same immutable string without worrying about concurrent modifications.
2. Security: Immutable strings are often used to store sensitive information such as passwords or encryption keys. Since they cannot be changed, there is no risk of accidentally modifying or exposing the sensitive data.
3. String Pool: Java maintains a pool of immutable strings, known as the string pool. When a new string is created, Java checks if an identical string already exists in the pool. If it does, the new string references the existing one, reducing memory usage. This string interning helps improve performance and memory efficiency.
4. Caching: Immutable strings can be safely cached, as their values cannot change. This caching can lead to performance improvements, especially when dealing with frequently used strings.
5. Hashing: Immutable strings are suitable for use as keys in hash-based data structures like HashMaps. Since the hash code of a string is based on its content, and immutable strings cannot be modified, the hash code remains consistent.
Conclusion
Immutable strings in Java provide several advantages, including thread safety, security, efficient memory usage through string interning, caching capabilities, and suitability for use as keys in hash-based data structures. Understanding the concept of immutability is crucial for efficient and reliable Java programming.