What are some use cases for immutable collections in Java?

What are some use cases for immutable collections in Java?

Immutable collections in Java are useful in scenarios where you want to ensure that the data cannot be modified after creation. This is particularly beneficial in multi-threaded applications where shared data integrity is crucial.

Can you give me an example of when to use them?

Sure! One common use case is when you need to return a collection from a method without allowing the caller to modify it. For instance, returning a list of configuration settings that should remain constant.

Are there performance benefits to using immutable collections?

Yes, immutable collections can lead to performance improvements in certain scenarios, such as reducing the overhead of synchronization in multi-threaded environments.

What libraries support immutable collections in Java?

Java's standard library includes the Collections.unmodifiableList method, but libraries like Guava and Apache Commons also provide rich support for immutable collections.