When should I use CopyOnWriteArrayList?

What is a CopyOnWriteArrayList and when should I use it?

A CopyOnWriteArrayList is a thread-safe variant of ArrayList. It's ideal for scenarios where reads vastly outnumber writes.

Can you explain how it handles concurrent modifications?

Sure! It creates a fresh copy of the underlying array on each write operation, ensuring that readers see a consistent view.

Are there any performance drawbacks I should be aware of?

Yes, while reads are fast, writes can be costly due to the copying overhead, so it's best for read-heavy use cases.

What are some practical use cases for CopyOnWriteArrayList?

Common use cases include event listener lists and caching scenarios where reads are frequent and writes are rare.