Eliminating memory leaks in Java requires a comprehensive understanding of how memory is allocated and de-allocated. Here are a few steps you can follow: 1. **Understand the Basics:** In Java, memory leaks occur when objects are created but never garbage collected because the application still maintains a reference to them. Always care about the lifecycle of every object you create. 2. **Identify Memory Leaks:** The key to identifying memory leaks is through the use of profiling tools. Java's built-in profiling tool (JConsole) can provide a basic view of your heap usage. For a more detailed analysis, tools like VisualVM, Eclipse MAT, etc., can help you to identify suspicious objects which are causing memory leaks. 3. **Fix the Leak:** Once you've found the potential leak, you can analyse the code to check where the reference is still maintained. Listeners are one of the most common causes of memory leaks in GUI applications—make sure you are removing all listeners. Some good practices: - Use the latest version of Java if possible. Each new release usually comes with improvements in garbage collection and heap management. - Avoid unnecessary object creation. Always favor primitives over wrappers. - Use appropriate data structures. Incorrect choice could cause unnecessary memory consumption. - Consciously use caching, if you forget to put a size limit or a proper eviction policy, you'll get a memory leak quickly. - Redefine the scope of variables to as small as possible, which will make those objects eligible for garbage collection as soon as possible. - Be careful with long-living collections that tend to accumulate elements over the application's lifetime (an example can be static collections). Remember to test thoroughly after you've made these optimizations. Fixing a memory leak can often have unintended side effects, so it's essential to verify that your fixes have not adversely affected your application.