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)
                 
                                                                            
                            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
 
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