Typical Use Cases for Standard and Third-Party Libraries

Standard libraries are included with the Java Development Kit (JDK). Use them when you need:

• Basic input and output operations, such as reading from files or writing to the console;
• Data structures like lists, maps, and sets;
• Utilities for date and time, math, or string manipulation;
• Networking support, such as creating server or client sockets;
• Built-in security features and encryption;
• Core language features that are well-supported and maintained.

Third-party libraries are created by the community or organizations outside the official Java team. Use them when you need:

• Specialized functionality not available in the standard library, such as advanced parsing or machine learning;
• More convenient or powerful alternatives to standard features, like easier JSON processing or enhanced testing tools;
• Faster development for complex tasks, such as web frameworks or database connectors;
• Integration with other technologies or platforms.

How to Choose the Right Library

When deciding between a standard or third-party library, consider the following:

• Prefer standard libraries when they meet your requirements; they are stable, well-documented, and require no extra dependencies;
• Choose third-party libraries if you need features missing from the standard library or want to speed up development;
• Check the library's documentation, community support, and update frequency to ensure it is reliable;
• Avoid unnecessary dependencies; adding too many third-party libraries can complicate maintenance and increase security risks;
• Always review licensing to make sure you can use the library in your project.

Selecting the right library helps you write efficient, maintainable, and secure Java applications.