Java memory management is the process of allocating, using, and freeing up memory in a Java program. The Java Virtual Machine (JVM) automatically manages memory allocation and deallocation through a process called garbage collection. Here are some key concepts related to Java memory management:
- Heap memory: In Java, objects are allocated on the heap. The heap is a part of memory that is used for dynamic memory allocation. It is the area of memory where objects are created and stored.
- Stack memory: Stack memory is used for storing local variables and function calls. It is a region of memory that is used for short-term storage.
- Garbage collection: Garbage collection is the process of freeing up memory that is no longer being used by a program. In Java, the garbage collector runs automatically in the background to reclaim memory.
- Object lifecycle: The lifecycle of an object in Java consists of creation, usage, and destruction. Objects are created using the “new” keyword and destroyed when they are no longer referenced by the program.
- Finalization: Java provides a mechanism for objects to perform cleanup operations before they are destroyed. This is done using the finalize() method.
- Memory leaks: A memory leak occurs when a program does not release memory that is no longer being used. In Java, memory leaks can be caused by holding onto references to objects that are no longer needed.
Overall, Java memory management is an important aspect of Java programming and understanding its key concepts can help developers write more efficient and reliable code.