Tip

G1: Changes due in garbage collection for JVMs

Garbage collection took a big step forward with the advent of the Java language in the 90s. The Java community continues to push ahead on the garbage collection front today. The "Garbage-first" G1 garbage collector in Sun's Java HotSpot VM 14.0 is an example.

As described by Jeremy Manson, programmer, Google, the new collector splits the garbage heap into fixed-size regions, and tracks live data in those regions. How live the data is is key to decisions to be made on garbage collection. When

    Requires Free Membership to View

    Login

garbage collection is required, the collector reaps from the regions with less live data first, writes Manson, hence the reference to "garbage first" in describing the new setup. For more read Garbage collector in latest Open JDK on his Java concurrency blog.

Downloading JDK 6 Update 16 is a step toward checking out this collector, still in beta as of this writing. You must have a copy of the Java Runtime Environment (JRE) as well. For more information check out Sun's Java HotSpot VM 14.0 information page. A preliminary version of the Garbage First (G1) garbage collector is included. This is an early access version on which Sun is seeking feedback.

Related garbage collection information
Garbage collector in latest Open JDK – Jeremy Manson blog
G1 presentation - JavaOne 2008
JDK6 SDK bundle release notes – Sun.com
Java HotSpot VM 14.0/G1 release notes – Sun.com


 

This was first published in September 2009

Join the conversationComment

Share
Comments

    Results

    Contribute to the conversation

    All fields are required. Comments will appear at the bottom of the article.

    Disclaimer: Our Tips Exchange is a forum for you to share technical advice and expertise with your peers and to learn from other enterprise IT professionals. TechTarget provides the infrastructure to facilitate this sharing of information. However, we cannot guarantee the accuracy or validity of the material submitted. You agree that your use of the Ask The Expert services and your reliance on any questions, answers, information or other materials received through this Web site is at your own risk.

    Back to top