What is the purpose of the finalize() method in Java?

The finalize() method in Java serves the purpose of performing cleanup operations before an object is destroyed by the garbage collector. This method is a part of the Object class and can be overridden to define any cleanup tasks that need to be accomplished, such as releasing resources that are not automatically managed by the garbage collector (e.g., closing file streams or disconnecting database connections).

When the garbage collector determines that there are no more references to an object, it will call the finalize() method on that object (if it has been overridden) prior to reclaiming its memory. This gives programmers an opportunity to implement resource management and ensure that any necessary actions are taken before the object is permanently removed.

It’s important to note that reliance on finalize() for resource management is generally discouraged in modern Java programming because it can lead to unpredictable behavior and performance issues. Instead, try-with-resources statements or explicit resource management are preferred. Overall, the finalize() method is a legacy feature that serves a specific function related to the lifecycle of an object in Java.