Do you know what is difference between stack vs heap memory? Have you ever thought about what is stack and heap in Java? Let us understand what is stack and heap in Java & some differences between stack vs heap Java.
But before we start making differences between stack vs heap memory, let us first try to understand the concept of stack vs heap Java from a daily life example.
Let us try to assume one scenario.
Real Life Example:
Suppose, your mother asked you to drop the garbage at the garbage collecting point. So, you take the garbage from the house and go to that spot. When you come to that spot you find out one post. You find out that, there are two different spaces to throw different garbage. In one place, you need to put the dry garbage. And in another place, you need to place the other garbage.
But you only have one packet where all the garbage is placed. So, what will you do then?
You don’t have any other option. And you start making difference in the garbage. Then you make two different packets of that garbage. At last, you throw them into certain places. So, we can understand the necessity of proper placing of the element. Whether it is garbage or data inside of the memory.
The same thing happens in the stack vs heap memory. There are two different memory allocation systems present in Java. Stack vs heap Java is one of them. we will try to know more about these in the coming sections. We will try to understand what is stack and heap in Java.
But before that let us know about the Java programming language briefly.
What Is Java Programming Language? Read Below
Java is an Object-Oriented Programming Language. It is a programming language that is developed from very basic programming languages. Like Java programming language is developed from the C++ programming language. Java programming language has the Class-Object relationship. In Java programming language, the method is used more often than the other programming language. There is some feature in the Java programming language that comes from the OOPs.
There are several features in the Java programming language. Like there is Encapsulation, Inheritance features are present. These features play a crucial role in Java programming language. For all these features, Java programming language is used widely. All the corporates use Java programming language to develop the software. It is being used to develop the backend of any software. For all of these reasons, Java programming language is a more used language after C++ programming language.
What Is Stack Memory In Java? Read Below
Stack is a special data structure. It is mainly used in the C programming language. But now, it can be used in various types of programming languages. Java is one of them. In Java, the stack is used as memory storage. A stack is a continuous block of memory. It is being used to store memory data. Like the C programming language, there is a stack memory allocation system is present. Whenever a function is called, the data of the function is stored in the Stack.
We will know more about the stack when we discuss stack vs heap. It is very useful than other memory allocation processes. As the variable is only stored in the stack till the function is running. After completion of the process, the function will be deallocated. This means the function will be popped out from the stack. So, there will be saving of storage space. As the function will automatically be deallocated from the stack, there will be no issue with memory leakage. That is the reason, why the stack memory allocation is being used most of the time.
What Is Heap Memory In Java? Read Below
In stack vs heap Java, Heap memory is another type of memory allocation process. It is a process where all the instructions written by the programmer are stored there. The Heap memory is not similar to the Heap data structure. There is no similarity in the operation between the heap memory & heap data structure. It is called a heap memory as there is a pile of memory. And as per its structure, it is called the Heap memory. But there is no similarity among them.
Heap memory is quite different from stack memory allocation. In the stack memory allocation, the storage inside of the heap will not be deallocated automatically. There is a need to deallocate the storage in the heap of the programmer itself. Heap memory allocation can’t work alone. There is a need to collaborate with the stack memory allocation. When the programmer declares the object, the object is stored in the heap memory & the details of the object are stored in the stack memory.
Difference Between Stack Vs Heap? Get To Know
Now, after getting knowledge about the stack & heap memory allocation in Java, it is time to know the differences between them. It will help to draw the conclusion about which one is better for them. Let us go through the following points of difference.
Stack Memory Allocation |
Heap Memory Allocation |
| In this memory allocation, the memory is allocated in continuous blocks. | Here, the memory allocates in random order in the memory space. |
| Stack memory allocation is automatic. It means there is no need to operate the programmer. | Here, the memory allocation is done with the help of the programmer. It means the memory allocation is not done automatically. |
| Here, the cost of the memory allocation is less. | The cost of memory allocation is very high. |
| Here, the implementation process is easy. | The implementation process is quite hard. |
| Here, the storage of the memory is the main issue. | The fragmentation of memory is an important issue. |
| In stack memory allocation size can’t be changed. It is always in a fixed size. | In heap memory allocation, the size can be changed according to the need of the programmer. |
| It is small than the stack memory. | It is quite big than the heap memory. |
| Here, the implementation is done by the array data structure. | The implementation is done by the linked list data structure. |
| Here, the data structure type is a linear data structure. | The data structure type is a non-linear data structure. |
| It is a relatively safe memory allocation process than the heap memory allocation process. | It is not a safe memory allocation process than the stack memory allocation process. |
Conclusion:
As we saw, it is very important to know the difference between the stack vs heap memory allocation in Java.
It is important to know about what is stack and heap in Java topics. This will help you a lot in the future.
It is advised to know the basics of the Java programming language first. It will help to understand this topic more easily & in a better manner.
So, hope you have liked this piece of article. Share your thoughts in the comments section and let us know if we can improve more.
Also, if you guys are looking to get help with Java Assignments or Programming then you can use our Java Homework Help Services.