What are the benefits of lazy initialization in programming?

What are the benefits of lazy initialization in programming?

Lazy initialization is a design pattern that delays the creation of an object until it's needed. This can improve performance and resource management.

Can you give me an example of where lazy initialization is useful?

Sure! In a web application, if you have a large data set that isn't always needed, lazy initialization can help load it only when the user requests it, saving memory.

Are there any downsides to using lazy initialization?

Yes, it can introduce complexity and potential performance hits if not managed properly, especially if the initialization is done on a critical path.

How does lazy initialization compare to eager initialization?

Eager initialization creates objects at startup, which can lead to higher memory usage, while lazy initialization conserves resources by creating them only when necessary.