Java Memory explained (SUN JVM)

Question

I tried to find an interpretation of the memory segments of the sun java vm, which would also be understandable by an administrator. It should explain what heap / non-heap memory is and the significance of the different memory pools.

If it would somehow relate to the jconsole view, it would be a bonus.

Is there somewhere a website with such an explanation?

Answer 1

Here's a list of resources I had noted down. Some of these explain how the heap/garbage collection works and some have details on how to configure everything.

IBM

• How does garbage collection work?
• Detailed description of garbage collection
• Generational and concurrent garbage collection

Sun

• Turbo-charging Java HotSpot Virtual Machine, v1.4.x to Improve the Performance and Scalability of Application Servers - (discussion of low pause collectors)
• Performance Documentation for the Java HotSpot VM
• Improving Java Application Performance and Scalability by Reducing Garbage Collection Times and Sizing Memory Using JDK 1.4.1
• Frequently Asked Questions About the Java HotSpot VM
• Java HotSpot VM Options

Other

• Java Specialists newsletter
  • Articles on performance
  • Determining memory usage in Java
• Java Performance Tuning web site
• Java World - Pick up performance with generational garbage collection
• DZone - How to tame Java GC Pauses