String vs StringBuffer

The Java has both String and StringBuffer are used to work with strings, but they have different characteristics and are suitable for different use cases. The primary distinction between them is their mutability and thread-safety:

1. String:

• Immutable: String objects are immutable, which means that their content cannot be changed after they are created. Any operation that appears to modify a String actually creates a new String object.
• Thread-Safe: Since String objects are immutable, they are inherently thread-safe. Multiple threads can read and share String objects without synchronization concerns.
• Use Cases: String is suitable for situations where the string’s content remains constant and you don’t need to modify it. This is the preferred choice for representing constants and ensuring data integrity.
• Performance: Due to their immutability, creating new String objects when modifying a string can be less efficient for large-scale string manipulation.

1. StringBuffer:

• Mutable: StringBuffer objects are mutable, which means you can modify the characters in the sequence after creating the object. This allows for efficient string manipulation, such as appending, inserting, and deleting characters.
• Not Thread-Safe: StringBuffer is not inherently thread-safe. If multiple threads access a StringBuffer concurrently, external synchronization is required to avoid data corruption.
• Use Cases: StringBuffer is a good choice when you need to perform dynamic and thread-safe string manipulations, especially in multi-threaded applications where synchronization is managed.
• Performance: StringBuffer can be more efficient than String for string manipulations because it avoids creating new objects every time you modify the content.

1. StringBuilder:

• Mutable and Not Thread-Safe: StringBuilder is similar to StringBuffer in terms of mutability but is not thread-safe. It’s the preferred choice for single-threaded applications where you need efficient string manipulations.
• Use Cases: If you don’t require thread safety, StringBuilder is a better choice than StringBuffer due to its better performance in single-threaded scenarios.

Here’s a summary of when to use each class:

• Use String when you need an immutable string or when thread-safety is not a concern.
• Use StringBuffer when you need a thread-safe, mutable string, and you are working in a multi-threaded environment.
• Use StringBuilder when you need a mutable string and you are working in a single-threaded environment. StringBuilder is more efficient than StringBuffer in single-threaded scenarios due to its lack of synchronization.

To choosing the appropriate class depends on the specific requirements of your application. For most single-threaded scenarios, StringBuilder is often the preferred choice for efficient string manipulations, while StringBuffer is used in multi-threaded scenarios. String is primarily used for immutable string representations.