What is the Difference Between StringBuffer and StringBuilder?

The main differences between StringBuffer and StringBuilder in Java are:

1. Thread Safety: StringBuffer is thread-safe and synchronized, meaning it ensures that only one thread can access its methods at a time. This makes it suitable for use in multi-threaded environments. On the other hand, StringBuilder is not thread-safe, as it is not synchronized, making it faster and more suitable for single-threaded environments.
2. Performance: StringBuilder is generally faster than StringBuffer due to its unsynchronized nature, which allows it to avoid the overhead of synchronization.
3. Use Cases: StringBuffer is better suited for scenarios where the text will change and is used by multiple threads, while StringBuilder is more suitable for situations where the text is used by a single thread and is likely to change.

In summary, StringBuffer is recommended for multi-threaded environments due to its thread safety, while StringBuilder is more appropriate for single-threaded environments because of its faster performance.

Comparative Table: StringBuffer vs StringBuilder

The main difference between StringBuilder and StringBuffer lies in their synchronization and performance characteristics. Here is a table comparing the two:

Both StringBuilder and StringBuffer are mutable classes, meaning their content can be changed. However, StringBuffer is synchronized, making it thread-safe and suitable for use in multi-threaded applications. On the other hand, StringBuilder is not synchronized, which results in better performance and is more suitable for general programming scenarios.