I have a very basic question. I have read that if we have a multi-threaded application then it is better to go with StringBuffer. But if we have a single thread application then it’s better to go with StringBuilder. But isn't the whole point of having a multi-threaded application is that simultaneously all the threads can work on the same piece of code? Shouldn't the requirement be that if we don't want the String to be manipulated by all the threads at a time, then we should go for StringBuffer, otherwise it's fine to go for StringBuilder? What I am trying to understand is for a multi-threaded application why is it required to go for a synchronous implementation (if the requirement doesn't state that).

CodePudding user response：

• StringBuffer has been around "forever". It is thread safe.
• StringBuilder is "newer" (first introduced in Java 1.5).
• String is immutable. StringBuffer and StringBuilder are both mutable. Using either StringBuffer or StringBuilder is VASTLY more efficient than modifying raw strings.

Per the documentation:

https://docs.oracle.com/en/java/javase/11/docs/api/java.base/java/lang/StringBuilder.html

[StringBuilder] is mutable sequence of characters. This class provides an API compatible with StringBuffer, but with no guarantee of synchronization. This class is designed for use as a drop-in replacement for StringBuffer in places where the string buffer was being used by a single thread (as is generally the case). Where possible, it is recommended that this class be used in preference to StringBuffer as it will be faster under most implementations.

Personally, I always use StringBuffer in preference to manipulating raw String. Mostly out of force of habit.

Yes, StringBuilder might be "faster". Or, in all likelihood, it will make little or no difference in overall "performance".

The key points to remember:

• Don't manipulate strings directly if you can use StringBuilder or StringBuffer instead.
• StringBuilder is non-synchronized (i.e. not thread safe). If two threads happen to use StringBuilder simultaneously, the results will be indeterminate.

You might also be interested in this:

https://www.javatpoint.com/mutable-and-immutable-in-java

What are Mutable Objects?

The mutable objects are objects whose value can be changed after initialization. We can change the object's values, such as field and states, after the object is created. For example, Java.util.Date, StringBuilder, StringBuffer, etc.

When we made a change in existing mutable objects, no new object will be created; instead, it will alter the value of the existing object. These object's classes provide methods to make changes in it.

CodePudding user response：

Shouldn't the requirement be that if we don't want the String to be manipulated by all the threads at a time, then we should go for StringBuffer, otherwise it's fine to go for StringBuilder? What I am trying to understand is for a multi-threaded application why is it required to go for a synchronous implementation (if the requirement doesn't state that).

Yes.

Very few applications actually concurrently modify a character sequence, with the result that there's almost no reason to use StringBuffer.