Java - available garbage collection algorithms

Question

Does anyone know a proper resource to read on the available garbage collection mechanisms in java? So far I found a couple of websites but they did not contain a comprehensive description with respect to when to use which and what the implementation was. (I am referring to Oracle's jdk)

Solution

As of today, there are 4 GC algorithms available in the Java Hotspot VM:

• The Serial GC - recommended for client-style applications that do not have low pause time requirements.
• The Parallel GC - use when the throughput matters.
• The Mostly-Concurrent GC (also known as Concurrent Mark-Sweep GC(CMS)) - use when the latency matters.
• The Garbage First GC (G1) - new GC algorithm, for CMS replacement.

You can find more information about these GC algorithms in the references below.

Books:

• Java Performance - practical guide, contains chapters on GC, explains comprehensively when and how to use various Hotspot GC algorithms,
• The Garbage Collection Handbook - Garbage-Collection theory explained, mentions all available GC techniques.

Talks/Articles:

• Java One 2012 Advanced JVM Tuning
• Java One 2012 G1 Garbage Collector Performance Tuning
• Garbage Collection Tuning Guide
• Java HotSpot Garbage Collection

Mailing List:

• OpenJDK Hotspot GC Use

Comments

[Chamin Wickramarathna]

Then what about Parallel Old GC (Parallel Compacting GC)? Is it an extended version of parallel GC that use in old generation memory?