Why Is Char Array Preferred Over Strings To Store Passwords in Java?

Although Java developers use both string and character for storing the text data, many people have a hard time choosing one over the other, which is a challenging question to ask. There has been a question which many people ask during a Java interview. 

But we know that many people prefer a Character array over a string, but they do not know the reason behind it. This post will tell you why people are more inclined to use an array than a string.

What Is an Array?

There are applications containing the use of extensive volume data. To process these large amounts of data, Java developers will need a robust data type that will help them facilitate efficient storing and data access. For this reason, Array is used. 

It is a special variable referring to the sequential collection variables that you can refer to by a common name. When using technical terms, Java developers say that it is a sequenced elements collection of the same base type that will share a single name. Putting it in simple words will help you with an easy way of grouping that is related together. 

What Is a String?

Java developers refer to the character sequence represented as a single data item that you can terminate with the help of a special character. In Java, strings are classes, and they operate differently, but Java users declare them similarly as arrays. 

The only difference is the char type. The string is a value sequence that is contagious that contains a common name.  Unlike arrays, it is immutable. In other words, you cannot change the modifications after you have assigned them. As a Java user, you will not be able to change the string contents after allocating it. 

String vs. Character Array in Java

Before we explain, let us understand the difference between them in Java. String and character are the two things in Java, whereas in C or C++, they are not. 8 String is backed with the help of the final character array below. There is some essential contrast between the two, such as:

• The string contains some of the useful methods that you can use for working on a string. Whereas, character array doesn’t have any such means for working on the values. The benefit of a character array provides the length property.

• The additional (+) operator is loaded for the string class, and with its help, you can concentrate on two strings. It is better that you note that because the string is immutable, you can produce a new string with the help of a concentration operator.

• In Java, the string is immutable, but it is mutable about the character array. In other words, the Java development company cannot possibly change the contents in the string object after creating it. If you modify a string, it will not make changes; instead, it will produce a new string.

• It is essential to know that all string literals will be stored in the constant string pool, and it will stay in the pool until it is eligible for garbage collection. Whereas java developers store a password in the character array, it will be stored in the heap memory.

• You cannot iterate over the string characters with the help of an enhanced for-loop. But on the other end, you can iterate over the character array with the help of utilizing for-loop.

Amongst the primary difference between the two, there is a difference between them is how they are stored in memory. For a char array, a contiguous memory block will represent a continuous memory block. 

Java developers can store the array elements continuously when they want to increase the memory locations. Strings will be stored like any other array type when declared as char arrays. A string class contains the pointer in some heap memory parts where the original string content is stored.

Why Is a String Not Suitable for Password Storing?

It may seem logical and more accessible for Java developers to store a password in a string than a char array. It will pose a significant security risk, and you cannot change the content after using it. In other words, when using a string object to store the passwords, until the garbage collector clears it, it will be impossible to remove the password. For this reason, the spring’s immutable property makes it unsafe to store the passwords.

Why Is Character Array Preferred?

A Java development company will use Array so that they can collect and preserve sensitive data and information. Unlike string, it has mutable data structures that you can clear instantly after using it, and the good thing is that the password will not leave any traces in the application, even before collecting the garbage. 

In other words, a character array is more invulnerable than a string, even if it only decreases the chances of attacks.

Conclusion

Now you will understand why Java developers prefer char array to string when storing passwords. The mutable properties of an array make the best choice for storing passwords and other data. In easy words, an array is a group of like-type variables, and the string is a character sequence that you can represent with the help of a single data type.