Java StringBuffer Class
Java StringBuffer class is used to create mutable (modifiable) String objects. The
StringBuffer class in Java is the same as String class except it is mutable i.e. it can be
changed.
Important Constructors of StringBuffer Class
Constructor Description
StringBuffer() It creates an empty String buffer with the initial capacity of 16.
StringBuffer(String str) It creates a String buffer with the specified string.
StringBuffer(int It creates an empty String buffer with the specified capacity as
capacity) length.
Important methods of StringBuffer class
Modifier and Method Description
Type
public append(String s) It is used to append the specified string with
synchronized this string. The append() method is overloaded
StringBuffer like append(char), append(boolean),
append(int), append(float), append(double) etc.
public insert(int offset, String It is used to insert the specified string with this
synchronized s) string at the specified position. The insert()
StringBuffer method is overloaded like insert(int, char),
insert(int, boolean), insert(int, int), insert(int,
float), insert(int, double) etc.
public replace(int startIndex, It is used to replace the string from specified
synchronized int endIndex, String str) startIndex and endIndex.
StringBuffer
public delete(int startIndex, It is used to delete the string from specified
synchronized int endIndex) startIndex and endIndex.
StringBuffer
public reverse() is used to reverse the string.
synchronized
StringBuffer
public int capacity() It is used to return the current capacity.
public void ensureCapacity(int It is used to ensure the capacity at least equal
minimumCapacity) to the given minimum.
public char charAt(int index) It is used to return the character at the specified
position.
public int length() It is used to return the length of the string i.e.
total number of characters.
public String substring(int It is used to return the substring from the
beginIndex) specified beginIndex.
public String substring(int It is used to return the substring from the
beginIndex, int specified beginIndex and endIndex.
endIndex)
What is a mutable String?
A String that can be modified or changed is known as mutable String. StringBuffer and
StringBuilder classes are used for creating mutable strings.
1) StringBuffer Class append() Method
The append() method concatenates the given argument with this String.
StringBufferExample.java
1. class StringBufferExample{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. StringBuffer sb=new StringBuffer("Hello ");
4. sb.append("Java");//now original string is changed
5. System.out.println(sb);//prints Hello Java
6. }
7. }
Output:
Hello Java
2) StringBuffer insert() Method
The insert() method inserts the given String with this string at the given position.
StringBufferExample2.java
1. class StringBufferExample2{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. StringBuffer sb=new StringBuffer("Hello ");
4. sb.insert(1,"Java");//now original string is changed
5. System.out.println(sb);//prints HJavaello
6. }
7. }
Output:
HJavaello
3) StringBuffer replace() Method
The replace() method replaces the given String from the specified beginIndex and
endIndex.
StringBufferExample3.java
1. class StringBufferExample3{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. StringBuffer sb=new StringBuffer("Hello");
4. sb.replace(1,3,"Java");
5. System.out.println(sb);//prints HJavalo
6. }
7. }
Output:
HJavalo
4) StringBuffer delete() Method
The delete() method of the StringBuffer class deletes the String from the specified
beginIndex to endIndex.
StringBufferExample4.java
1. class StringBufferExample4{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. StringBuffer sb=new StringBuffer("Hello");
4. sb.delete(1,3);
5. System.out.println(sb);//prints Hlo
6. }
7. }
Output:
Hlo
5) StringBuffer reverse() Method
The reverse() method of the StringBuilder class reverses the current String.
StringBufferExample5.java
1. class StringBufferExample5{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. StringBuffer sb=new StringBuffer("Hello");
4. sb.reverse();
5. System.out.println(sb);//prints olleH
6. }
7. }
Output:
olleH
6) StringBuffer capacity() Method
The capacity() method of the StringBuffer class returns the current capacity of the
buffer. The default capacity of the buffer is 16. If the number of character increases
from its current capacity, it increases the capacity by (oldcapacity*2)+2. For example if
your current capacity is 16, it will be (16*2)+2=34.
StringBufferExample6.java
1. class StringBufferExample6{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. StringBuffer sb=new StringBuffer();
4. System.out.println(sb.capacity());//default 16
5. sb.append("Hello");
6. System.out.println(sb.capacity());//now 16
7. sb.append("java is my favourite language");
8. System.out.println(sb.capacity());//now (16*2)+2=34 i.e (oldcapacity*2)+2
9. }
10. }
Output:
16
16
34
7) StringBuffer ensureCapacity() method
The ensureCapacity() method of the StringBuffer class ensures that the given capacity
is the minimum to the current capacity. If it is greater than the current capacity, it
increases the capacity by (oldcapacity*2)+2. For example if your current capacity is 16,
it will be (16*2)+2=34.
StringBufferExample7.java
1. class StringBufferExample7{
2. public static void main(String args[]){
3. StringBuffer sb=new StringBuffer();
4. System.out.println(sb.capacity());//default 16
5. sb.append("Hello");
6. System.out.println(sb.capacity());//now 16
7. sb.append("java is my favourite language");
8. System.out.println(sb.capacity());//now (16*2)+2=34 i.e (oldcapacity*2)+2
9. sb.ensureCapacity(10);//now no change
10. System.out.println(sb.capacity());//now 34
11. sb.ensureCapacity(50);//now (34*2)+2
12. System.out.println(sb.capacity());//now 70
13. }
14. }
Output:
16
16
34
34
70
