When should I use synchronized collections instead of concurrent collections?

When should I use synchronized collections instead of concurrent collections?

Synchronized collections are best for scenarios where you need to ensure thread safety with minimal overhead, typically in single-threaded contexts.

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

Sure! Use synchronized collections for simple data structures like ArrayList when only one thread will modify it. Use concurrent collections like ConcurrentHashMap when multiple threads will read and write simultaneously.

What are the performance implications of using one over the other?

Synchronized collections can lead to bottlenecks due to locking, while concurrent collections are designed for high throughput and can handle multiple threads more efficiently.

Are there any specific classes I should look into?

Yes! For synchronized collections, look at Vector and Hashtable. For concurrent collections, check out ConcurrentHashMap and CopyOnWriteArrayList.