Difference Between Java Heap and Stack

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 the bottom of the address, and garbage is collected when the heap size becomes full. The local variables that will be stored and method invocations are present in the specified memory that is called Stack. Stack memory follows the rule of Last-In-First-Out (LIFO). A stack is referred to as static memory allocation. The size of the memory stack is less as compared to heap memory size.

Let us study much more about Java Heap and Stack in detail:

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, it moved to other parts that are Old space reserved for taking the old objects.
In java Heap, 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.
While the method is getting invoked, its stack frame will be 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 stack’s current running method is always the method that is at the top of a stack.
The block has been created in a stack when the method is invoked to hold the methods’ values and object reference. After the 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 the 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 in method invocation and return. In simple terms, Java Stack is to store methods and variables.

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

Below is the Top 7 Comparisons Between Java Heap vs Stack:

Key Difference Between Java Heap and Stack

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

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 the rules of Last in First out (LIFO).
When Java Heap is fully occupied, it throws out memory error or Java heap space error. When stack memory is occupied, it throws a stack overflow error.
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.
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.
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.
In a 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 a particular order to access the element.
Heap is more complex as sometimes it cannot know whether memory gets occupied or free. In a stack, it is simple and easy.

Java Heap vs Stack Comparisons Table

Following is the comparison table between Java heap and stack:

BASIS FOR COMPARISON	Java Heap	Stack
Size	Java Heap memory size is more than a stack.	Stack size is less as compared to Java heap.
Performance	Java heap is slow.	A stack is very fast as compared to a java heap.
Life	Java heap memory has a large life, from the start to an end of an application.	Stack memory has less life or a short life.
Accessible	Java heap objects stored are accessible globally.	Objects stored in stack memory cannot be accessible across threads.
Application	Java heap memory is used by each part of an application at the time of execution.	Stack memory used in parts means one at a time on execution of a thread.
Specific	Java heap is mainly an application-specific	Stack is mainly thread-specific.
Efficient	In Java heap, there is no efficient use of space or memory.	In Stack, space is used efficiently.

Conclusion

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 the 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.

Popular Course in this category