When should I use Maps instead of WeakMaps?

Can you explain when to use Maps instead of WeakMaps in JavaScript?

Sure! Use Maps when you need to maintain a collection of key-value pairs and want to retain references to both keys and values. WeakMaps are better when you want to avoid memory leaks by allowing garbage collection of keys.

What are the main differences in terms of memory management?

Maps hold strong references to keys and values, preventing them from being garbage collected. WeakMaps, however, only hold weak references to keys, allowing them to be garbage collected if there are no other references.

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

Absolutely! Use a Map for caching data where you need to access both keys and values. Use a WeakMap for storing private data associated with an object, where you want the data to be cleaned up when the object is no longer in use.

Are there performance differences between the two?

Yes, Maps generally have better performance for frequent additions and removals of key-value pairs, while WeakMaps can be more efficient in terms of memory usage when dealing with large datasets.