What is StringBuffer and StringBuilder in Java?
Java, a widely used and powerful programming language, offers various tools and classes that help with coding and development. Two such important classes are StringBuffer and StringBuilder in Java, which are crucial for working with strings effectively and improving performance. These classes in the java.lang package allow us to create and modify strings dynamically. They differ in terms of mutability, synchronization, and performance, though.
StringBuilder vs StringBuffer in Java
StringBuffer : StringBuffer represents a thread-safe class, designed to facilitate seamless operation within multi-threaded environments. This ensures that threads can manipulate StringBuffer objects without causing synchronization issues. However, this thread safety comes at the cost of performance, as the synchronization overhead makes StringBuffer slightly slower than its counterpart, StringBuilder.
StringBuffer Example in Java
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 | //StringBuffer Sample Program public class StringBufferProgram { public static void main(String[] args) { StringBuffer stringBuffer = new StringBuffer("Learn Coding for Free"); stringBuffer.append(" on, "); stringBuffer.append("CodeRevise.com"); System.out.println(stringBuffer.toString()); } } |
Output
Learn Coding for Free on, CodeRevise.com
StringBuilder : In contrast, StringBuilder does not prioritize thread safety. It excels in single-threaded scenarios, where rapid string manipulation is paramount. With no synchronization overhead, StringBuilder exhibits better performance when compared to StringBuffer. For situations where thread safety is not a concern, the use of StringBuilder is recommended for optimal efficiency.
StringBuilder Example in Java
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 | //StringBuilder Sample Program public class StringBuilderProgram { public static void main(String[] args) { StringBuilder stringBuilder = new StringBuilder("I"); stringBuilder.append(" Love"); stringBuilder.append(" Java!"); System.out.println(stringBuilder.toString()); } } |
Output
I Love Java!
Difference Between StringBuffer and StringBuilder
Here’s a quick comparison table highlighting the Similarities and Differences between StringBuffer and StringBuilder in Java:
| Aspect | StringBuffer | StringBuiler |
| Mutability | Mutable | Mutable |
| Thread Safety | Synchronized | Not Synchronized |
| Performance | Slower due to synchronization | Faster due to lack of synchronization |
| Memory Efficiency | Consume more memory due to thread safety | Consume less memory due to lack of thread safety |
| Suitable for Multi-threading | Yes, Recommended for multi-threaded environments | No, Not recommended due to lack off thread safety |
| Suitable for Single-threading | Yes, can be used, but StringBuilder is more efficient | Yes, highly recommended for single-threaded scenarios |
Choosing Between StringBuffer and StringBuilder in Java
The choice between StringBuffer and StringBuilder in Java depends on the specific requirements of your application:
- Thread Safety: If your application involves multiple threads accessing and modifying a shared string, StringBuffer is the safer choice due to its synchronized nature. This prevents concurrent threads from causing data corruption issues.
- Performance: In single-threaded scenarios or when thread safety is ensured by other means, StringBuilder is the preferred option. Its lack of synchronization overhead leads to better performance compared to StringBuffer.
- Efficiency: If you are performing numerous string manipulations and concatenations, both StringBuffer and StringBuilder can significantly improve efficiency by avoiding the creation of new string objects during each manipulation.
Conversion from StringBuilder to StringBuffer and Vice Versa
“Conversion from StringBuilder to StringBuffer and Vice Versa” refers to the process of changing between two classes, StringBuilder and StringBuffer, in Java. This involves transforming a StringBuilder object into a StringBuffer object and vice versa, typically by using methods like toString() and constructors.
Here we will understand this with the following examples:
Example code to Convert StringBuilder to StringBuffer
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 | //Example code to Convert StringBuilder to StringBuffer in java public class StringBuilderToStringBuffer { public static void main(String args[]) { // Create StringBuilder StringBuilder stringBuilder = new StringBuilder("Hello, "); stringBuilder.append("CodeRevise"); // Convert StringBuilder to StringBuffer StringBuffer stringBuffer = new StringBuffer(stringBuilder.toString()); // Display content of StringBuffer System.out.println("Converted to StringBuffer : " + stringBuffer.toString()); } } |
Output
Converted to StringBuffer : Hello, CodeRevise
Example code to Convert StringBuffer to StringBuilder
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 | //Example code to Convert StringBuffer to StringBuilder in Java public class StringBufferToStringBuilder { public static void main(String[] args) { // Create StringBuffer StringBuffer stringBuffer = new StringBuffer("Welcome to, "); stringBuffer.append("Code Revise"); // Convert StringBuffer to StringBuilder StringBuilder stringBuilder = new StringBuilder(stringBuffer.toString()); // Display content of StringBuilder System.out.println("Converted StringBuilder content: " + stringBuilder.toString()); } } |
Output
Converted to StringBuilder : Welcome to, Code Revise
Check out our other Java Programming Examples