Java Interview Questions · interview question

Which practice avoids a common mistake with CopyOnWriteArrayList?

Multiple choiceMediumjava-interview-2026interviewjavapitfall

Silence the CopyOnWriteArrayList problem by using raw types, broad catches, or shared mutable state.Ignore the CopyOnWriteArrayList issue and rely on team discipline instead of APIs or contracts.Prefer the version of CopyOnWriteArrayList that makes behavior less predictable as long as the code compiles.Do not choose CopyOnWriteArrayList for frequently updated collections because every structural write copies the entire backing array.

Answer and explanation

Correct answer

D. Do not choose CopyOnWriteArrayList for frequently updated collections because every structural write copies the entire backing array.

Why

Do not choose CopyOnWriteArrayList for frequently updated collections because every structural write copies the entire backing array. This is a common failure mode in real Java code and a frequent interview follow-up.

Test yourself on Java Interview Questions

A free test with instant, explained results. No account needed.

Start free test

All Java Interview Questions questions →

Which practice avoids a common mistake with CopyOnWriteArrayList?

Correct answer

Why

More Java Interview Questions questions