Difference between Wait() and Sleep() method in java

sleep() is a method which is used to hold the process for few seconds or the time you wanted but in case of wait()method thread goes in waiting state and it won’t come back automatically until we call the notify() or notifyAll().

The major difference is that wait() releases the lock or monitor while sleep() doesn’t releases any lock or monitor while waiting. Wait is used for inter-thread communication while sleep is used to introduce pause on execution, generally.

synchronized(LOCK) {   
    Thread.sleep(1000); // LOCK is held
}

synchronized(LOCK) {   
    LOCK.wait(); // LOCK is not held  }