Last Updated: December 6, 2025
The nuances of Java's reference types can be a bit like navigating a maze. You know there's a path through, but the intricacies along the way can be perplexing. In this chapter, we're diving into Weak, Soft, and Phantom References—three specialized types of references that can significantly optimize memory management and performance in your Java applications.
Understanding these references is key to avoiding memory leaks and improving garbage collection efficiency. Let’s get started!