String class vs StringBuffer class in Java: Learn and Understand Differences, Performance, and Use Cases

String class vs StringBuilder class in Java: Learn Understand Differences, Performance, and Use Cases



1. Understanding String: Immutable and Constant

In Java, String is an immutable class, which means once created, its value cannot be changed. Every modification results in a new object, which can affect performance during frequent changes.

Example:


String str = "Hello"; str = str + " World"; // Creates a new String object

When to Use:

  • When working with constant values.

  • When thread safety is not a concern.

  • When performance is not critical for string manipulation.


2. StringBuilder: Mutable and High Performance

StringBuilder is a mutable class introduced in Java 1.5. It allows modification of character sequences without creating new objects, making it efficient for multiple changes.

Example:


StringBuilder sb = new StringBuilder("Hello"); sb.append(" World"); System.out.println(sb); // Output: Hello World

When to Use:

  • When you need to build strings dynamically.

  • In single-threaded applications for better performance.

  • During loops or string concatenation inside algorithms.


3. StringBuffer: Thread-Safe but Slower

StringBuffer is similar to StringBuilder, but it is synchronized, making it thread-safe. However, the synchronization adds overhead and slows down performance compared to StringBuilder.

Example:


StringBuffer sb = new StringBuffer("Hello"); sb.append(" World"); System.out.println(sb); // Output: Hello World

When to Use:

  • In multi-threaded applications where multiple threads access the same buffer.

  • When thread safety is a requirement.

  • For legacy code written before Java 1.5.


4. Performance Comparison: Which is Faster?

OperationStringStringBuilderStringBuffer
MutabilityImmutableMutableMutable
Thread-safeNoNoYes
PerformanceSlowFast (best)Moderate (slower)
Use CaseConstantsDynamic stringsThread-safe cases

Benchmark Tip:

Using String in a loop for concatenation can drastically reduce performance. Prefer StringBuilder for fast string appending.


5. Best Practices: When to Use What?

  • ✅ Use String for fixed, readable text like messages, labels, and keys.

  • ✅ Use StringBuilder for high-performance string concatenation in loops and file parsing.

  • ✅ Use StringBuffer if you are sharing string data between threads.


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