What are the performance implications of using immutable objects?

What are the performance implications of using immutable objects?

Using immutable objects can lead to increased memory usage and potential performance overhead due to object copying, but they also provide benefits like easier reasoning about state and thread safety.

Can you explain how they affect garbage collection?

Immutable objects can reduce the frequency of garbage collection since they are not modified after creation, leading to fewer temporary objects.

Are there scenarios where mutable objects are preferred?

Yes, mutable objects are often preferred in performance-critical applications where frequent updates are necessary, as they avoid the overhead of copying.

What programming languages support immutable objects?

Languages like Java, Scala, and C# have built-in support for immutable objects, while others like JavaScript and Python allow for immutability through libraries or specific patterns.

How can I implement immutability in my code?

You can implement immutability by using final classes in Java, tuples in Python, or by leveraging libraries like Immutable.js in JavaScript.