Stringbuffer vs. String class

[BillyKrow]

Fairly new to Java and have already become quite anoid with the String vs. Stringbuffer delemna. Various sources say use Stringbuffer when you need to re-assign a string variable.
Problem - Stringbuffer class has not even close to the same fuctionality as the String class as far as methods are concerned. For example I have many occasion for the need of Trim and indexOf methods of the String class that aren't in the StringBuffer class.
Sure I can do something like:
BufferedString = BufferedString.toString().trim();
But then not only am I allocating space for a string that will have to be picked up by garbage collection but I am also re-assinging my buffered string. Defeats the purpose of using the BufferedString class. Am I wrong here? And if I'm not is the best solution to write your own methods like trim and indexOf for the BuffereString class?

 

[jnicho02]

As you've probably seen, String is a special case in Java. This is done to save resources (not just to cause you hassle, although sometimes it seems like it!), but tends to have difficulties when you do things like looping to concatonate something.

As a general rule of thumb, it is okay to use them but not in things like loops. Normally, the garbage collecion will clean up after you. My home ---->

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