When is it still appropriate to use `finalize()` in Java?

When to Use Finalize() in Java

Despite its questionable reliability for resource cleanup, finalize() still has its niche use cases. Consider scenarios where you:

Provide a Backstop for External Resources:
Create a close() method that should be explicitly called to release external resources. Implement finalize() to perform this cleanup if close() has not been invoked, capturing potentially buggy callers.

Ensure Safety in Exceptional Situations:
In long-running applications, certain conditions (e.g., bugs) may prevent callers from performing proper resource cleanup with try/catch/finally blocks. finalize() acts as a safety net, mitigating the consequences of such exceptional situations.

Noteworthy Developments:
As of Java 9, the Object.finalize() method has been deprecated. Consider using java.lang.ref.Cleaner and java.lang.ref.PhantomReference as more robust alternatives for managing external resources.

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