Is StringUtils.EMPTY recommended?

Question

Do you use StringUtils.EMPTY instead of \"\"?

I mean either as a return value or if you set a the value of a String variable. I don\'t mean

Answer 1

I will add my two cents here because I don't see anybody talking about String interning and Class initialization:

• All String literals in Java sources are interned, making any "" and StringUtils.EMPTY the same object
• Using StringUtils.EMPTY can initialize StringUtils class, as it accesses its static member EMPTY only if it is not declared final (the JLS is specific on that point). However, org.apache.commons.lang3.StringUtils.EMPTY is final, so it won't initialize the class.

See a related answer on String interning and on Class initialization, referring to the JLS 12.4.1.