What are the benefits of using immutable collections in Java?

What are the benefits of using immutable collections in Java?

Immutable collections in Java offer several benefits, such as thread safety, easier debugging, and reduced risk of unintended modifications.

Can you explain how thread safety works with immutable collections?

Sure! Since immutable collections cannot be changed after creation, they are inherently thread-safe, meaning multiple threads can access them without causing data inconsistency.

What about performance? Are immutable collections slower?

Immutable collections can be slightly slower for certain operations, but they often lead to better performance in concurrent applications due to reduced locking.

Are there any downsides to using immutable collections?

One downside is that they can lead to increased memory usage if many versions of a collection are created. However, the benefits often outweigh this.

Can you give examples of immutable collections in Java?

Yes! Examples include List.of(), Set.of(), and Map.of() methods introduced in Java 9, which create immutable lists, sets, and maps.