What are the downsides of using immutable collections in Java?

What are the downsides of using immutable collections in Java?

While immutable collections have benefits like thread safety and simplicity, they also have downsides. For instance, they can lead to increased memory usage since every modification creates a new instance. Additionally, they may result in performance overhead due to the need for copying data.

Can you explain how memory usage is affected?

Sure! Each time you modify an immutable collection, a new collection is created, which means the old one remains in memory until garbage collection occurs. This can lead to higher memory consumption, especially if many modifications are made.

Are there performance implications as well?

Yes, there are performance implications. Creating new instances for every modification can slow down operations, especially in scenarios with frequent updates. This can be a concern in performance-critical applications.

What alternatives do I have to immutable collections?

You can consider using mutable collections like ArrayList or HashMap, which allow in-place modifications. However, you should weigh the trade-offs regarding thread safety and complexity.