Java API: Automatically Buffer Collections?

[0rthodontist]

Does the Java API have any way of automatically buffering Collections, so that it stores only a certain amount in memory and stuff that was not recently used goes to the hard drive if there is a lot in memory?

 

[Hurkyl]

I don't think such a thing exists inherently, at least not in the collections package. I suppose you have too much stuff to let the OS handle everything with paging? If you want to try writing this yourself, the key will be use of the SoftReference class.

 

[piercas]

Yes, the Java API does have a way of automatically buffering Collections through the use of the "java.util.Collections" class. This class provides methods such as "synchronizedCollection" and "unmodifiableCollection" which can automatically buffer the elements of a Collection. Additionally, the "java.util.WeakHashMap" class can also be used to automatically remove elements from a Collection when memory is running low. However, it is important to note that the automatic buffering process may vary depending on the implementation and version of the Java API being used. It is recommended to consult the official Java API documentation for more detailed information on how to effectively use automatic buffering with Collections.