Java String.substring method potential memory leak?
java, memory-leaks, string
Solution
There is a potential for a memory leak, if you take a substring of a sizable string and not make a copy (usually via the `String(String)` constructor).
Note that this has changed since Java 7u6. See https://bugs.openjdk.java.net/browse/JDK-7197183.
The original assumptions around the `String` object implementing a flyweight pattern are no longer regarded as valid.
See this answer for more info.
Problem
I was going through the String class API and looks like there is a potential memory leak caused by substring method as it shares same character array as original String. If original string is huge then small string returned by substring can prevent original string(backed up by large array) from garbage collection in Java. Any thoughts or did I read the API wrong.