Difference between String literal and New String object in Java

String strObject = new String("Java");

String strLiteral = "Java";
Both expression gives you String object, but there is subtle difference between them. When you create String object using new() operator, it always create a new object in heap memory. On the other hand, if you create object using String literal syntax e.g. "Java", it may return an existing object from String pool (a cache of String object in Perm gen space, which is now moved to heap space in recent Java release), if it's already exists. Otherwise it will create a new string object and put in string pool for future re-use. In rest of this article, why it is one of the most important thing you should remember about String in Java.

What is String literal and String Pool

Since String is one of the most used type in any application, Java designer took a step further to optimize uses of this class. They know that Strings will not going to be cheap, and that's why they come up with an idea to cache all String instances created inside double quotes e.g. "Java". These double quoted literal is known as String literal and the cache which stored these String instances are known as as String pool. In earlier version of Java, I think up-to Java 1.6 String pool is located in permgen area of heap, but in Java 1.7 updates its moved to main heap area. Earlier since it was in PermGen space, it was always a risk to create too many String object, because its a very limited space, default size 64 MB and used to store class metadata e.g. .class files. Creating too many String literals can cause java.lang.OutOfMemory: permgen space. Now because String pool is moved to a much larger memory space, it's much more safe. By the way, don't misuse memory here, always try to minimize temporary String object e.g. "a", "b" and then "ab". Always use StringBuilder to deal with temporary String object.

Difference between String literal and String object

String literal vs New String in Java
At high level both are String object, but main difference comes from the point that new() operator always creates a new String object. Also when you create String using literal they are interned. This will be much more clear when you compare two String objects created using String literal and new operator, as shown in below example :

String a = "Java";
String b = "Java";
System.out.println(a == b);  // True

Here two different objects are created and they have different references:

String c = new String("Java");
String d = new String("Java");
System.out.println(c == d);  // False

Similarly when you compare a String literal with an String object created using new() operator using == operator, it will return false, as shown below :

String e = "JDK";
String f =  new String("JDK");
System.out.println(e == f);  // False

In general you should use the string literal notation when possible. It is easier to read and it gives the compiler a chance to optimize your code. By the way any answer to this question is incomplete until you explain what is String interning, so let's see that in next section.

String interning using inter() method

Java by default doesn't put all String object into String pool, instead they gives you flexibility to explicitly store any arbitrary object in String pool. You can put any object to String pool by calling intern() method of java.lang.String class. Though, when you create using String literal notation of Java, it automatically call intern() method to put that object into String pool, provided it was not present in the pool already. This is another difference between string literal and new string, because in case of new, interning doesn't happen automatically, until you call intern() method on that object. Also don't forget to use StringBuffer and StringBuilder for string concatenation, they will reduce number

That's all about this question, what is difference between String literal and String object in Java. Always remember that literal Strings are returned from string pool and Java put them in pool if not stored already. This difference is most obvious, when you compare two String objects using equality operator (==). That's why it's suggested as always compare two String object using equals() method and never compare them using == operator, because you never know which one is coming from pool and which one is created using new() operator. If you know the difference between string object and string literal, you can also solve questions from Java written test, which also test this concept. It's something, every Java programmer should know.  of temporary String object in heap space.

Further Learning
Data Structures and Algorithms: Deep Dive Using Java
Java Fundamentals: The Java Language
Complete Java Masterclass

If you like this article and eager to learn more about String type in Java, check out these amazing articles from Java67 blog :


  1. Thank you for this question I was very confuse about this string literal and string object but your tutorial give me clear idea about that thank you once again.....

  2. Thanks for your article. Could you please tell me. How many objects are created in memory and at which place? when we create objects using new keyword?

    1. Good question. For example if you execute following two lines :

      String language = "Java";
      String anotherLanguage = new String("Java")

      how many objects are created in where i.e. heap, stack and pool?

      In first statement one String is created using literal syntax so that will go to the String pool, which is also part of heap from Java 1.7 but was part of permgen area in Java 1.6. In second statement, "Java" will not create another object instead it will reuse the object created in previous step, had it been any other word e.g. "java" it would have created another object. By the way new String() will create another object in Java heap space. No object in stack but reference variables language and anotherLanugage will be created and stored in stack.

    2. I'm a little bit confused about the second statement in the expressions above executed:

      String language = "Java";
      String anotherLanguage = new String("Java");

      After the execution of first statement, the String Literal "Java" is created in String Pool.But then in second statement, I think that the "Java" will be created in Heap area, although I may be wrong in this but to the point I know I think that's the way it is. Although I'm not confirm about where the "Java"in the second statement parenthesis will be created/or not.

      Can anyone please clarify/

    3. This is how 2nd statement works
      1) Scan SCP . if it has already same string then return old one, else create new object in SCP.
      2) Create one String object in Heap(due to new)

      Totally 2 objects in general.

    4. Don't think so, Only one object will be created .If we call intern then the object should be created in String pool.

    5. new String("..") always creates an object in heap we all know
      but the question is ,is it also check in String pool.???

  3. I think main difference between String object and String literal still remains the fact that former is automatically added into String pool while later is added using intern() method.

  4. I have a question, can a String Constant Pool be Garbage Collected. If so when & how?

    1. Yes, both interned String and literals are subject to garbage collection. when a String literl doesn't have any active reference it becomes eligible for garbage collection and this is true for all Java versions. In Java 7, String pool is moved to heap space, but even when it was in PermGen space untile Java 6, String constants were garbage collected.

  5. very good explanation of the String objects & their differences. Thanks a lot.

  6. I am still confused about how many objects created when u create string using new operator.
    as per me if I write String s = new String("ABC") then two objects are created
    one in heap and one in String pool.
    Please provide your feedback.

    1. @Anonymous, that is correct, two objects, "ABC" on String pool and new String() on heap.

    2. Nope, until you explicitly call intern() method, it will create one object in Heap space only.

  7. When executing String s = new String("ABC") , only one object is created in the heap. This doesn't not deal with String pool.

    1. Actually two objects are created, first the "ABC" object which is created in String pool and second the new String() object which is created in heap. String pool is also now part of Java heap from JDK 7 release update 40 I guess.

    2. SO in this case how intern() method is used? and what is the advantage of having intern() method if string is already in pool even using with new operator

    3. yes Sridhar , me too having same point can anyone please clear me.

  8. String str = "ABC" + "DEF"; How many object will be created in this.

    1. Hi @Davinder, four objects will be created

      1) "ABC"
      2) "DEF"
      3) The StringBuilder object which will used for concatenation
      4) The String object which will be created after concatenation e.g. "ABCDEF"

      Java internally uses StringBuilder or StringBuffer when you use + operator to join string together.

  9. Hi.
    What is the use of creating two object i.e using new keyword .
    For Ex. String S=new String("abc");
    In this example there will be 2 objects. 1 in string Pool and 1 in NonPool Memory.
    But what is the relevance of String pool object when using new Keyword. Is it available for next time when we create another object using new keyword with same value and if not then why it is there?

    1. hello @Himanshu, it will be returned when you create another object using same character but by using String literal e.g. "abc" will return the same object.

  10. The same question...
    Are 2 objects created ?

    String s=new String("abc");

    Or only 1 object in non-pool heap memory is created?

    1. Hello Aditya, Yes, two objects are created if "abc" is not in the String pool already, if it is then just one. First object is "abc" and second is the new String().

      Yes, only "abc" will be created in pool, s will not go to pool until you call s.intern()

    2. there will be two objects created s will be in heap and by "abc" literal object will be go in the string constant pool.
      if there is already a "abc" present than it will not create new and give the reference of previous "abc".
      Take A example:
      class intern
      public static void main(String... s)
      String s6 = "arpan";
      String s5 = "arpan";

  11. is it possible to put a string only in heap memory not in string constant pool.

    1. @true taller yes, if you create an object using new String() without using String literal e.g. via byte array then that object only remain in heap space, not created in String pool.

  12. Can you tell me how many objects created here

    String ab="ab"+"ba";
    String ba="ba"+"ab";

    1. @Anonymous, 4 objects, two String literal and two created by String concatenation.

  13. String s="abc";

    Does the result will be true in this casse?

    1. @Anonymous, yes result will be true because both are pointing to same String literal.

  14. when you say if we call itern() on string object it moves to string constant pool.

    System.out.println("Testing intern");
    String test = "intern";
    String test1 = new String("intern");
    System.out.println(test == test1);// it will return false no doubt about it
    test1.intern();// moved string object into pool having same literal
    System.out.println(test == test1); // it should have written true but its not

    1. Hello @Anonymous, the intern() method has no effect on existing object. Now, if you create another object with literal e.g. "intern" then same object is returned instead of creating a new one. See my post when to use intern() method of String in Java to learn more about intern

  15. String a = "one";
    String b = "two";
    String c = a+b;
    String d = "one"+"two";
    String e = "onetwo";
    }else if(c==e){
    }else if(d==e){

    Explain Mr. Javin Paul,
    1.Why 3rd will be true and why not 1/2?
    2. Afetr concatenation will new object will be created in heap/pool?

  16. Very good explanation, thank you!

    But this is an exception, a trick and any exception makes our life harder and it pales the beauty of Java.
    Why Java designers did not automatically decide if a string in PermGen to use it no matter it is literal or new object?
    So if after a
    String s1="Java";
    //coming with
    String s2 = new String("Java");
    to return also s1 as it is already there?

    This in idea that Java is a tool in our hands not vice-verse.
    And we prefer simple but effective tools.

  17. why they need it
    why they create two different type String object..
    in case of String str=new String("Hello");
    two String object is created...why it need...