What are best practices for working with managing native memory safely?

When it comes to managing native memory in Java, it is crucial to handle it safely to avoid memory leaks and ensure optimal performance. Here are some best practices for working with native memory:

• Use Direct Buffers: Java NIO offers direct byte buffers that allocate memory outside of the Java heap. This helps in better memory management and can reduce garbage collection overhead.
• Explicitly Free Native Memory: When you allocate native memory using libraries such as JNI or JNA, ensure that you free the memory explicitly to avoid memory leaks.
• Wrap Native Calls: Create utility classes or methods to encapsulate native calls, making it easier to manage your native memory lifecycles in one place.
• Monitor Memory Usage: Use tools to monitor native memory usage periodically. This helps in identifying potential leaks by keeping track of allocated and freed memory.
• Testing and Profiling: Regularly test your application for memory leaks and profile your application to ensure efficient memory usage.

By following these best practices, you can manage native memory safely in Java applications, preventing common pitfalls associated with native memory handling.