Real differences between “java -server” and “java -client”?

Question

Is there any real practical difference between \"java -server\" and \"java -client\"?

All I can find on Sun\'s site is a vague

\"-server st

Answer 1

IIRC, it involves garbage collection strategies. The theory is that a client and server will be different in terms of short-lived objects, which is important for modern GC algorithms.

Here is a link on server mode. Alas, they don't mention client mode.

Here is a very thorough link on GC in general; this is a more basic article. Not sure if either address -server vs -client but this is relevant material.

At No Fluff Just Stuff, both Ken Sipe and Glenn Vandenburg do great talks on this kind of thing.