Java Heap vs Stack

Difference Between Java Heap vs Stack

The objects created by the Java program or application and that get stored in a particular location that is called Java heap. It is mainly done by using “new” operator. During the runtime, a memory of new objects is allocated on the heap. Reference variables are stored inside the object in which they are declared. These variables can be accessed globally.

When Java virtual machine (JVM) starts, a heap is formed. Its size can be increased or decreased when the java application has been executed. In other words, we can say when we execute the java program or application and it started the java virtual machine (JVM) which allocates some memory form the operating system, JVM uses this memory for creating objects and instances and this memory is called Java heap.

Java heap is used as dynamic memory allocation. It is mainly located at bottom of the address and garbage is collected when heap size becomes full. Garbage collection is the process to clear the objects which are dead or that are not in use, which helps to free the space from the heap and make space for new objects or instances.

Java heap is divided into two main parts that are Young space and Old space.  The young space is part of Java heap memory which is allocated or secured for storing the new object creation. When this space becomes full and valid for a certain period and now these are not in use then it moved to other parts that are Old space which is reserved for taking the old objects.

The local variables that will be stored and method invocations are present in the specified memory that is called Stack. While the method is getting invoked then its stack frame will put on the top of a call stack. The stack frame holds the state of a method which is having the particular lines of code that are getting executed and all the local variables. The current running method of the stack is always the method which is at the top of a stack.

Stack memory follows the rule of Last-In-First-Out (LIFO). A stack is referred to as static memory allocation. The block has been created in a stack when the method is invoked to hold the values and object reference of the methods. The size of memory stack is less as compared to heap memory size. After execution of a method, the block is not in use anymore and becomes free which can be available for the next method.

The stack is used for executing the threads. Each thread has Java virtual machine stack and JVM stack stores frames. The methods are allocated to stack memory and access to memory is really fast. We cannot alter the Java virtual machine stack, it can be done only through push and pop on the java stack. Java stack becomes larger and reduced as push and pop have done with local variables. JVM plays its part on method invocation and return. In simple terms, Java Stack is to store methods and variables.

Head To Head Comparisons Between Java Heap vs Stack (Infographics)

Below is the Top 7 Comparisons Between Java Heap vs Stack

Key Difference Between Java Heap vs Stack

Some of the points are explained below that shows the difference between Java Heap vs Stack

1. Java Heap is the section of memory in which elements can be stored and removed in any order. In Stack, the elements can be stored and removed by following rules of Last in First out (LIFO).
2. When Java Heap is fully occupied then it throws out of memory error or Java heap space error. When stack memory is occupied, it throws stack overflow error.
3. For Java Heap, Xms and Xmx java virtual machine option can be used to define the start size and maximum size. For Java Stack, Xss JVM can be used to define the size of stack memory.
4. When the new object has been created, it simply gets stored in Java heap memory. The reference of the new object has been stored in stack memory.
5. Java heap can be used when a user does not have any idea about the amount of data required at runtime. A stack can be used when a user knows exactly the amount of data required before compile time.
6. In Heap, there is no dependency on any element to access other elements. Any element can be accessed randomly at any time. In Stack, there is particular order to access the element.
7. Heap is more complex as sometimes it cannot know whether memory gets occupied or free. In a stack, it is simple and easy.

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Java Heap vs Stack Comparisons Table

Following is the comparison table between Java heap and stack

Conclusion – Java Heap vs Stack

Java Heap and Stack both are parts of memory management for the system. It plays a crucial role while designing and implementing the application. The knowledge of memory management is necessary for an individual before going to work on live projects. This makes your application faster and easily managed.

The stack is really important in exception handling and execution of threads. The values of stack mainly exist within the scope of methods or function in which they are created, if that function returns any value or executed the block of the stack has been removed. Java only stores local variables primitives on the stack. The main difference between Java heap and stack is the life cycle of the values means how variables are allocated to memory and disposed of for a particular application.

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