When should I use ConcurrentHashMap in Java?

What is ConcurrentHashMap and when should I use it?

ConcurrentHashMap is a thread-safe variant of HashMap. Use it when you need to handle concurrent access by multiple threads.

Can you explain how it differs from a regular HashMap?

Unlike HashMap, ConcurrentHashMap allows concurrent reads and updates without locking the entire map, improving performance.

Are there any performance trade-offs I should be aware of?

Yes, while ConcurrentHashMap offers better concurrency, it may have slightly higher overhead due to its locking mechanism.

In what scenarios would you recommend using it over other collections?

Use ConcurrentHashMap when you have a high level of read and write operations in a multi-threaded environment.