Understanding the Java Virtual Machine: Memory Management from Pluralsight

This course covers all aspects of garbage collection in Java, including how memory is split into generations and managed and how the different collectors do their job. We also cover the classes you can use to interact with the garbage collection, such as Soft, Weak, and PhantomReference.

Garbage Collection (GC) is a fundamental part of Java. Understanding how GC works is core to understanding how the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) works and will help you write better applications and to improve the performance of those applications. This course will look at all aspects of garbage collection, including looking at what 'young' and 'old' generations are, how the JVM moves objects between eden and survivor spaces, how memory is promoted into the 'old' generation, how different garbage collectors work, and how they affect the running of your application. We will also look at 'card tables' and how they help manage memory in the old generation. We will examine each of the garbage collectors including the serial and parallel collectors; the CMS collector and the G1 collector. We cover the tools you can use to monitor GC including jstat and VisualVM. Finally we look at ways you interact with the GC through classes Such as Soft, Weak, and PhantomReference and their associated helpers ReferenceQueue and WeakHashMap.

What's inside

Syllabus

Course Overview

Introduction

How Garbage Collection Works in the Oracle JVM

Garbage Collection Tools

Java Reference Classes

Good to know

Know what's good

, what to watch for

, and possible dealbreakers

Examines how different types of garbage collection algorithms affect software performance and efficiency, which is essential for application development and optimization

Led by Kevin Jones, an industry professional known for expertise in garbage collection and memory management, ensuring learners benefit from practical knowledge and insights

Delves into the complexities of garbage collection in Java, including how memory is managed and optimized, empowering learners with a deep understanding of this fundamental aspect of Java programming

Provides a comprehensive overview of garbage collection techniques and strategies, including serial, parallel, CMS, and G1 collectors, equipping learners with the knowledge to make informed decisions about garbage collection in their own projects

Empowers learners to interact with the garbage collector using classes such as Soft, Weak, and PhantomReference, expanding their understanding of how to manage memory effectively in Java applications

Requires familiarity with Java programming and a basic understanding of memory management concepts, which may limit accessibility for complete beginners

Activities

Be better prepared before your course. Deepen your understanding during and after it. Supplement your coursework and achieve mastery of the topics covered in Understanding the Java Virtual Machine: Memory Management with these activities:

Review 'Garbage Collection in Java' by Martin Thompson

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Gain insights and expand your knowledge by reviewing a comprehensive book on GC.

View Designing Data-Intensive Applications: The Big... on Amazon

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Read the designated chapters related to the course topics
Take notes and highlight key concepts

Join a GC Study Group

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Collaborate with peers to discuss GC concepts and improve understanding.

Browse courses on Garbage Collection

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Find a study group or create one with classmates
Meet regularly and discuss assigned topics
Work together to solve problems and clarify concepts

Practice GC and Memory Management

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Reinforce your understanding of Java's GC by completing practice drills and exercises.

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Review the course materials on GC and Memory Management
Complete the practice exercise questions

Four other activities

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Follow GC Optimization Tutorials

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Enhance your understanding by following guided tutorials and applying GC optimization techniques.

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Identify reputable tutorials on GC optimization
Follow the tutorials step-by-step
Implement the optimizations in your own code

Develop a GC Monitoring Script

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Create a script that monitors GC behavior to gain practical experience.

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Identify the necessary monitoring tools
Research GC metrics and create an outline for the script
Implement the script
Test and refine the script

Implement a GC Analysis Tool

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Apply your knowledge by creating a practical tool that analyzes GC behavior in real-time.

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Design the architecture and functionality of the tool
Implement the tool using appropriate libraries and frameworks
Test the tool and make necessary refinements
Deploy and use the tool to analyze GC behavior in your applications

Prepare a Presentation on GC for Beginners

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Solidify your understanding by creating a presentation that explains GC concepts clearly.

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Research and gather information on GC
Create an outline and structure for the presentation
Design the presentation slides
Practice delivering the presentation

Career center

Learners who complete Understanding the Java Virtual Machine: Memory Management will develop knowledge and skills that may be useful to these careers:

Java Developer

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Technical Lead

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Software Architect

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Software Engineer

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Technical Writer

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Project Manager

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Software Tester

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