What is the performance of CopyOnWriteArrayList in Java?

What is the performance of CopyOnWriteArrayList in Java?

CopyOnWriteArrayList is a thread-safe variant of ArrayList. It performs well for read-heavy operations but can be slower for write operations.

Why is it slower for write operations?

It creates a new copy of the underlying array on each write, which can be costly in terms of performance, especially with large lists.

When should I use CopyOnWriteArrayList?

Use it when you have a high frequency of reads and infrequent writes, such as in scenarios with multiple readers and few writers.

Are there any alternatives to CopyOnWriteArrayList?

Yes, alternatives include ConcurrentHashMap or using synchronized collections, depending on your specific use case.