21
Thu, Nov
1 New Articles

TechTip: Garbage Collection: It's a Dirty Job, But Someone Has to Do It

Java
Typography
  • Smaller Small Medium Big Bigger
  • Default Helvetica Segoe Georgia Times

Is Java's "heap" functionality killing your application's performance?

By David Mayle

When I started working with Java on the iSeries, my first impressions were not very favorable because the performance was horrible. Over the years, however, I've found that by using a few simple tricks, Java's performance can be greatly improved.

 

One of the biggest performance killers in an otherwise well-written application is a process known as "garbage collection." When objects are created in Java, they are placed on what is called a "heap," and periodically the garbage collector removes objects that are no longer needed. By default, when the Java Virtual Machine (JVM) starts, the iSeries sets the initial heap size to an arbitrary value based on what JVM you are using, what your OS level is, etc. If the application is performing poorly, however, this value may need to be adjusted. The reason is that if the value of the initial heap size is set too small, the JVM may be spending most of its effort continually performing garbage collection. Conversely, if the value is set too high, the application may run fine but take a large hit when the garbage collector finally does run because it now has to clean up a huge amount of objects. Unfortunately, there is no easy way to tell what the optimum value should be before running a Java program. It's more a matter of trial and error and experimenting with different values to find the one that is optimum.

 

The easiest way to see what effect the garbage collection process is having on your Java application is to start it with verbose garbage collection enabled. To do this, you can simply use the -verbosegc option when you call the Java program.

 

java -verbosegc myJavaProgram

 

When verbose garbage collection is enabled, the JVM will write the results of each garbage collection to standard output. This will generate a spooled file on your iSeries (unless you have redirected standard output somewhere else) that can be reviewed. The spooled file looks like this:

 

GC: initial heap(KB) 32768; maximum heap(KB) 240000000; virtual machine identifier F11EBE6844002000;  heap identifier F11EBE684400

GC 1: starting collection, invoked.                                                                                              

GC 1: 01/16/2008 14:11:33                                                                                                         

GC 1: live objects 7514; collected objects 29930; collected(KB) 6160.                                                            

GC 1: queued for finalization 0; total soft references 73; cleared soft references 0.                                            

GC 1: current heap(KB) 15904; current threshold(KB) 32768.                                                                       

GC 1: collect (milliseconds) 104.                                                                                                 

GC 1: current cycle allocation(KB) 493; previous cycle allocation(KB) 15612.                                                     

GC 1: total weak references 64; cleared weak references 0.                                                                        

GC 1: total final references 84; cleared final references 15.                                                                    

GC 1: total phantom references 0; cleared phantom references 0.                                                                   

GC 1: total JNI global weak references 0; cleared JNI global weak references 0.                                                               GC 1: collection ending 01/16/08 14:11:33

                                                                                         

The key values to look at are the number of milliseconds spent on garbage collection, the current heap size, and the time interval between the collections. If garbage collection is being performed every few seconds, you should consider increasing the initial heap size to improve performance. Conversely, if garbage collection is only occurring every few hours but consuming a large number of milliseconds when it does happen, you probably need to decrease the initial size of the heap.

 

The current heap size value is useful for determining where to set your initial heap size. This number will fluctuate as your application runs, but a good rule of thumb is that you never want your initial heap size to be smaller than this value. The current heap size can also be used to detect memory leaks. If the current heap size continues to grow, something is creating objects for which the JVM cannot reclaim memory via the garbage collection process.

 

Adjusting the initial heap size can only be done when the JVM is started. Once started, the size of the heap cannot be changed. Changing the initial heap size is accomplished with the Java -Xms option.

 

java -Xms64m myJavaProgram

 

The values for the heap size must be set as exponential values of the base 2, so valid values are 2, 4, 8, 16, 32, etc. The example above tells the JVM to set the initial heap size to 64 megabytes. By adjusting this value and reviewing the verbose garbage collection output you might very well be able to significantly improve the performance of your Java application.

DAVID MAYLE
Dave Mayle is a senior developer for Eaton Corporation, a global leader in electrical systems and components for power quality, distribution, and control. Dave has worked on the iSeries/System i since 1993 and is currently focused on developing Java, Web, and ILE applications. Dave has written numerous technical articles on the iSeries and is a three-time Speaker of Merit award winner at COMMON. Dave is a graduate of Bucknell University and can be reached at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
BLOG COMMENTS POWERED BY DISQUS

LATEST COMMENTS

Support MC Press Online

$

Book Reviews

Resource Center

  • SB Profound WC 5536 Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application. You can find Part 1 here. In Part 2 of our free Node.js Webinar Series, Brian May teaches you the different tooling options available for writing code, debugging, and using Git for version control. Brian will briefly discuss the different tools available, and demonstrate his preferred setup for Node development on IBM i or any platform. Attend this webinar to learn:

  • SB Profound WP 5539More than ever, there is a demand for IT to deliver innovation. Your IBM i has been an essential part of your business operations for years. However, your organization may struggle to maintain the current system and implement new projects. The thousands of customers we've worked with and surveyed state that expectations regarding the digital footprint and vision of the company are not aligned with the current IT environment.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT Generic IBM announced the E1080 servers using the latest Power10 processor in September 2021. The most powerful processor from IBM to date, Power10 is designed to handle the demands of doing business in today’s high-tech atmosphere, including running cloud applications, supporting big data, and managing AI workloads. But what does Power10 mean for your data center? In this recorded webinar, IBMers Dan Sundt and Dylan Boday join IBM Power Champion Tom Huntington for a discussion on why Power10 technology is the right strategic investment if you run IBM i, AIX, or Linux. In this action-packed hour, Tom will share trends from the IBM i and AIX user communities while Dan and Dylan dive into the tech specs for key hardware, including:

  • Magic MarkTRY the one package that solves all your document design and printing challenges on all your platforms. Produce bar code labels, electronic forms, ad hoc reports, and RFID tags – without programming! MarkMagic is the only document design and print solution that combines report writing, WYSIWYG label and forms design, and conditional printing in one integrated product. Make sure your data survives when catastrophe hits. Request your trial now!  Request Now.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericForms of ransomware has been around for over 30 years, and with more and more organizations suffering attacks each year, it continues to endure. What has made ransomware such a durable threat and what is the best way to combat it? In order to prevent ransomware, organizations must first understand how it works.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericIT security is a top priority for businesses around the world, but most IBM i pros don’t know where to begin—and most cybersecurity experts don’t know IBM i. In this session, Robin Tatam explores the business impact of lax IBM i security, the top vulnerabilities putting IBM i at risk, and the steps you can take to protect your organization. If you’re looking to avoid unexpected downtime or corrupted data, you don’t want to miss this session.

  • SB HelpSystems ROBOT GenericCan you trust all of your users all of the time? A typical end user receives 16 malicious emails each month, but only 17 percent of these phishing campaigns are reported to IT. Once an attack is underway, most organizations won’t discover the breach until six months later. A staggering amount of damage can occur in that time. Despite these risks, 93 percent of organizations are leaving their IBM i systems vulnerable to cybercrime. In this on-demand webinar, IBM i security experts Robin Tatam and Sandi Moore will reveal:

  • FORTRA Disaster protection is vital to every business. Yet, it often consists of patched together procedures that are prone to error. From automatic backups to data encryption to media management, Robot automates the routine (yet often complex) tasks of iSeries backup and recovery, saving you time and money and making the process safer and more reliable. Automate your backups with the Robot Backup and Recovery Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAManaging messages on your IBM i can be more than a full-time job if you have to do it manually. Messages need a response and resources must be monitored—often over multiple systems and across platforms. How can you be sure you won’t miss important system events? Automate your message center with the Robot Message Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAThe thought of printing, distributing, and storing iSeries reports manually may reduce you to tears. Paper and labor costs associated with report generation can spiral out of control. Mountains of paper threaten to swamp your files. Robot automates report bursting, distribution, bundling, and archiving, and offers secure, selective online report viewing. Manage your reports with the Robot Report Management Solution. Key features include:

  • FORTRAFor over 30 years, Robot has been a leader in systems management for IBM i. With batch job creation and scheduling at its core, the Robot Job Scheduling Solution reduces the opportunity for human error and helps you maintain service levels, automating even the biggest, most complex runbooks. Manage your job schedule with the Robot Job Scheduling Solution. Key features include:

  • LANSA Business users want new applications now. Market and regulatory pressures require faster application updates and delivery into production. Your IBM i developers may be approaching retirement, and you see no sure way to fill their positions with experienced developers. In addition, you may be caught between maintaining your existing applications and the uncertainty of moving to something new.

  • LANSAWhen it comes to creating your business applications, there are hundreds of coding platforms and programming languages to choose from. These options range from very complex traditional programming languages to Low-Code platforms where sometimes no traditional coding experience is needed. Download our whitepaper, The Power of Writing Code in a Low-Code Solution, and:

  • LANSASupply Chain is becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. From raw materials for manufacturing to food supply chains, the journey from source to production to delivery to consumers is marred with inefficiencies, manual processes, shortages, recalls, counterfeits, and scandals. In this webinar, we discuss how:

  • The MC Resource Centers bring you the widest selection of white papers, trial software, and on-demand webcasts for you to choose from. >> Review the list of White Papers, Trial Software or On-Demand Webcast at the MC Press Resource Center. >> Add the items to yru Cart and complet he checkout process and submit

  • Profound Logic Have you been wondering about Node.js? Our free Node.js Webinar Series takes you from total beginner to creating a fully-functional IBM i Node.js business application.

  • SB Profound WC 5536Join us for this hour-long webcast that will explore:

  • Fortra IT managers hoping to find new IBM i talent are discovering that the pool of experienced RPG programmers and operators or administrators with intimate knowledge of the operating system and the applications that run on it is small. This begs the question: How will you manage the platform that supports such a big part of your business? This guide offers strategies and software suggestions to help you plan IT staffing and resources and smooth the transition after your AS/400 talent retires. Read on to learn: