java.awt.image

## Class BufferStrategy

- java.lang.Object
- - java.awt.image.BufferStrategy

- Direct Known Subclasses:
    Component.BltBufferStrategy, Component.FlipBufferStrategy

      public abstract class BufferStrategy
      extends Object

  The `BufferStrategy` class represents the mechanism with which to organize complex memory on a particular `Canvas` or `Window`. Hardware and software limitations determine whether and how a particular buffer strategy can be implemented. These limitations are detectable through the capabilities of the `GraphicsConfiguration` used when creating the `Canvas` or `Window`.

  It is worth noting that the terms buffer and surface are meant to be synonymous: an area of contiguous memory, either in video device memory or in system memory.

  There are several types of complex buffer strategies, including sequential ring buffering and blit buffering. Sequential ring buffering (i.e., double or triple buffering) is the most common; an application draws to a single back buffer and then moves the contents to the front (display) in a single step, either by copying the data or moving the video pointer. Moving the video pointer exchanges the buffers so that the first buffer drawn becomes the front buffer, or what is currently displayed on the device; this is called page flipping.

  Alternatively, the contents of the back buffer can be copied, or blitted forward in a chain instead of moving the video pointer.

       Double buffering:

                          ***********         ***********
                          *         * ------> *         *
       [To display] <---- * Front B *   Show  * Back B. * <---- Rendering
                          *         * <------ *         *
                          ***********         ***********

       Triple buffering:

       [To      ***********         ***********        ***********
       display] *         * --------+---------+------> *         *
          <---- * Front B *   Show  * Mid. B. *        * Back B. * <---- Rendering
                *         * <------ *         * <----- *         *
                ***********         ***********        ***********

  Here is an example of how buffer strategies can be created and used:

       // Check the capabilities of the GraphicsConfiguration
       ...

       // Create our component
       Window w = new Window(gc);

       // Show our window
       w.setVisible(true);

       // Create a general double-buffering strategy
       w.createBufferStrategy(2);
       BufferStrategy strategy = w.getBufferStrategy();

       // Main loop
       while (!done) {
           // Prepare for rendering the next frame
           // ...

           // Render single frame
           do {
               // The following loop ensures that the contents of the drawing buffer
               // are consistent in case the underlying surface was recreated
               do {
                   // Get a new graphics context every time through the loop
                   // to make sure the strategy is validated
                   Graphics graphics = strategy.getDrawGraphics();

                   // Render to graphics
                   // ...

                   // Dispose the graphics
                   graphics.dispose();

                   // Repeat the rendering if the drawing buffer contents
                   // were restored
               } while (strategy.contentsRestored());

               // Display the buffer
               strategy.show();

               // Repeat the rendering if the drawing buffer was lost
           } while (strategy.contentsLost());
       }

       // Dispose the window
       w.setVisible(false);
       w.dispose();

  Since:
    1.4
  See Also:
    `Window`, `Canvas`, `GraphicsConfiguration`, `VolatileImage`

- - ### Constructor Summary

    Constructors
    Constructor | Description
    --- | ---
    `BufferStrategy()` |

  - ### Method Summary

    All Methods Instance Methods Abstract Methods Concrete Methods
    Modifier and Type | Method | Description
    --- | --- | ---
    `abstract boolean` | `contentsLost()` | Returns whether the drawing buffer was lost since the last call to `getDrawGraphics`.
    `abstract boolean` | `contentsRestored()` | Returns whether the drawing buffer was recently restored from a lost state and reinitialized to the default background color (white).
    `void` | `dispose()` | Releases system resources currently consumed by this `BufferStrategy` and removes it from the associated Component.
    `abstract BufferCapabilities` | `getCapabilities()` | Returns the `BufferCapabilities` for this `BufferStrategy`.
    `abstract Graphics` | `getDrawGraphics()` | Creates a graphics context for the drawing buffer.
    `abstract void` | `show()` | Makes the next available buffer visible by either copying the memory (blitting) or changing the display pointer (flipping).

    - ### Methods inherited from class java.lang.Object

      `clone, equals, finalize, getClass, hashCode, notify, notifyAll, toString, wait, wait, wait`

- - ### Constructor Detail

    - #### BufferStrategy

          public BufferStrategy()

  - ### Method Detail

    - #### getCapabilities

          public abstract BufferCapabilities getCapabilities()

      Returns the `BufferCapabilities` for this `BufferStrategy`.
      Returns:
        the buffering capabilities of this strategy

    - #### getDrawGraphics

          public abstract Graphics getDrawGraphics()

      Creates a graphics context for the drawing buffer. This method may not be synchronized for performance reasons; use of this method by multiple threads should be handled at the application level. Disposal of the graphics object obtained must be handled by the application.
      Returns:
        a graphics context for the drawing buffer

    - #### contentsLost

          public abstract boolean contentsLost()

      Returns whether the drawing buffer was lost since the last call to `getDrawGraphics`. Since the buffers in a buffer strategy are usually type `VolatileImage`, they may become lost. For a discussion on lost buffers, see `VolatileImage`.
      Returns:
        Whether or not the drawing buffer was lost since the last call to `getDrawGraphics`.
      See Also:
        `VolatileImage`

    - #### contentsRestored

          public abstract boolean contentsRestored()

      Returns whether the drawing buffer was recently restored from a lost state and reinitialized to the default background color (white). Since the buffers in a buffer strategy are usually type `VolatileImage`, they may become lost. If a surface has been recently restored from a lost state since the last call to `getDrawGraphics`, it may require repainting. For a discussion on lost buffers, see `VolatileImage`.
      Returns:
        Whether or not the drawing buffer was restored since the last call to `getDrawGraphics`.
      See Also:
        `VolatileImage`

    - #### show

          public abstract void show()

      Makes the next available buffer visible by either copying the memory (blitting) or changing the display pointer (flipping).

    - #### dispose

          public void dispose()

      Releases system resources currently consumed by this `BufferStrategy` and removes it from the associated Component. After invoking this method, `getBufferStrategy` will return null. Trying to use a `BufferStrategy` after it has been disposed will result in undefined behavior.
      Since:
        1.6
      See Also:
        `Window.createBufferStrategy(int)`, `Canvas.createBufferStrategy(int)`, `Window.getBufferStrategy()`, `Canvas.getBufferStrategy()`

Submit a bug or feature
For further API reference and developer documentation, see Java SE Documentation. That documentation contains more detailed, developer-targeted descriptions, with conceptual overviews, definitions of terms, workarounds, and working code examples.
Copyright © 1993, 2026, Oracle and/or its affiliates. All rights reserved. Use is subject to license terms. Also see the documentation redistribution policy.