memory management - Is there a way to lower Java heap when not in use?

Question

I'm working on a Java application at the moment and working to optimize its memory usage. I'm following the guidelines for proper garbage collection as far as I am aware. However, it seems that my heap seems to sit at its maximum size, even though it is not needed.

My program runs a resource intensive task once an hour, when the computer is not in use by a person. This task uses a decent chunk of memory, but then frees it all immediately after the task completes. The NetBeans profiler reveals that memory usage looks like this:

I'd really like to give all of that heap space back to the OS when not in use. There is no reason for me to hog it all while the program won't even be doing anything for at least another hour.

Is this possible? Thanks.

Answer 1

You could perhaps play around with -XX:MaxHeapFreeRatio - this is the maximum percentage (default 70) of the heap that is free before the GC shrinks it. Perhaps setting it a bit lower (40 or 50?) and then using System.gc() might go some lengths to get you the desired behaviour?

There's no way to force this to happen however, you can try and encourage the JVM to do so but you can't just yank memory away as and when you want to. And while the above may shrink the heap, that memory won't necessarily be handed straight back to the OS (though in recent implementations of the JVM it does.)