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javastringliteralspool

Java String Literal Pool

Let's say we have the following code

String x = new String("xyz");
String y = "abc";
x = x + y;

A friend of mine says that 4 objects are created in total, where I say that only 3 are created. Can someone explain what's going on in the background? I've read about String Literal Pool, but I can find an answer for this.

My explanation for the creation of the 3 object is as follows: one in the String Literal Pool at compile time ("abc"), and two at runtime on the heap ("abc" and x + y)

Solution

  • 4 objects are created as follow

    // 1. "xyz" in the literal pool
// 2. a new String object which is a different object than "xyz" in the pool
String x = new String("xyz");

// 3. "abc" in the literal pool
String y = "abc";

// 4. new String object
x = x + y;