What Are Some Best Java Debugging Tips For Developers?

Java Debugging Tips

Among many other programming languages, if you want to specialize in Java Programming Language, then developing Java Code will not be enough for Java Developers. To become a good Java Developer, you should know some of the best “Java Debugging Tips”.

The Debugging Process of any Programming Language is crucial, though it gets infrequent highlights in the overall Java Applications Development Process. That is why understanding the importance of the Debugging Process is way more important than the development process.

This article will discuss some important insights on the Java Debugging Session, Debugging Tools & overall Java Debugging Tips to become a successful Java Debugger. 

Summary Or Key Highlights:

  • Debug Mode is the process to find out the Errors & fix Bugs in the Source Code.

  • Debugging Java Applications is essential before deploying the software for any certain process.

  • For any Java Code, a certain software is present for the entire Debugging Process.

  • Debug Java Code can easily be done with the help of IDEs & other Debugging Tools.

  • Certain tricks must be executed to Debug Java Applications easily with software.

What Is Java Debugging Process?

Now, before we move into the central theme, we need to know about the Debug Java Code process. Debugging is a simple operation in the Software Development Process where any kind of code is checked for finding out & fixing errors.

Java Debugging Process

Suppose, after the development of any Java Program, it is deployed in any certain operation. And for any error, the software is not working fine. Then, the reputation of the organization will be under question & that can raise some more concerns as well. So, the Debugging of Java is very important.

What Is The Necessity Of Debugging Java Code?

Now, from the above discussion, the definition of Debug Java Code should become clear. Now, it is time to clear the concerns of executing Remote Debugging on Java Code. We have to understand why the Debugging Java Program is so much necessary to develop any application.

A programming teacher explaining to students Necessity Of Debugging Java Code

Here, we have written down some of the points that will prove the importance of Debugging Code written in the Java Language. So, let us check the following points carefully.

  • Good Code Quality: The Debugging of Java Programs helps to create good-quality code. After performing the Debugging, there is very little chance that any kind of error can be generated there.

  • Improving Performance: If the Remote Debugging is executed on any Java Program, then it will be very easy to identify bugs if anything is present there. This improves the performance of the code.

  • Enhance User Experience: As fixing bugs will become easier in any Java Application, the users will get more attached to the system which will increase the demand for the product.

  • Code Maintainance: If you efficiently debug any Java Application, then you need to pay very little attention there at the time of maintenance. Because the chance of appearing any bug is very low.

  • Achieving Demands: If all the products of the organization are going through a dedicated Debug process then the demands of such a project will go very high because they are quality products.

What Are Different Java Debugging Tools?

Now, whatever we have discussed is all to clear the basics of the Java Debug Process. And we hope it is quite clear to you now. However, the Java Debug Process is not completely done by the Humans, it can be simply done with some Debugging Tools.

A programmer thinking about different Java debugging tools

You will find three kinds of Debugging Tools related to the Java Language. We are going to discuss them one by one. So, let us start with the Integrated Development Environment to test code lines developed with Java Coding Language.

1. IDE Debuggers:

The first & most important debugger that comes up with the dedicated Debug Window to check Java Code is the Integrated Development Environments. Among all other Integrated Development Environments or IDEs, the Eclipse & Intellij Idea is the most important one.

The Intellij Idea & Eclipse not only executes the Java Code, rather it can also be used as the debugger. Using these IDEs, you can set breakpoints like Conditional Breakpoints, Line Breakpoints, and Exception Breakpoints & check each code line.

Using Intellij Idea, you can even set breakpoints to stop Memory Leaks & check Memory Usage. You can examine Variable Values & Call Stack Traces etc.

2. Standalone Debuggers:

Now, in the above case, the Debugger is coming with the IDE. But, in this case, they can only be installed for the Debugging Purpose. The JDB Debugger and Java Debug Wire Protocol (JDWP) are important to discuss where the Command Line is used.

The Java Debug Wire Protocol (JDWP) follows the JDB Debug Concept & can work as the bridge between the Java Virtual Machine & Debugger. It is like the Network Protocol that can be seen in the Computer Networks concept. The detailed discussion on JDB Debugger is discussed later.

3. Third-Party Plugins:

Now, if you want to effectively debug your Java Applications, then the Third-Party Plugins can be the best alternative. There are many IDEs where the Debugger Plugins can be installed & downloaded for the Debugging applications.

These third-party plugins are also can be used for Setting breakpoints to pause execution at any certain line of code. The Memory usage of any operating system & memory leaks can also be judged from such external libraries or plugins. However, their use is very rare for this particular case.

How Does Java Debugger Work?

Now, from the above discussion, you should be aware of all kinds of debuggers related to the Java Language. Now, before moving ahead, we should have to look at the working process of the Java Debugger. Most of the Java Debugger follows the same kind of path.

Here, as an example, we have taken the JDB Debugger that uses the Command Lins to execute the JDB Command. However, the entire process goes through the following points. Let us check each one of them.

  1. Set Breakpoints: In the code, the Breakpoints will be first figured out. These are the breakpoints that are used to find out the Root Cause of any kind of error. At this point, the code execution will be paused.

  2. Stepping Through Code: In this process, the Debugger allows scrolling over the lines of code. And if there is any necessity to change the code, you can certainly make changes there.

  3. Inspecting Variables: You can Inspect Variables to make the changes that are discussed above. Any kind of values can be given there to check the execution.

  4. Evaluate Expressions: Now, whatever the values you have given there should be checked. The debugger also allows you to perform the same in the Run Time Execution. In this way, the Variable Inspection can be done well.

  5. Resume Threads: At last, you can resume the Threads. That means, all the processes can be executed from the beginning. And in this moment, there will be no issues in the code.

What Are Some Java Debugging Techniques?

Now, as we are coming towards the end, we will end the discussion with some Debugging Techniques in Java Language. However, there are many Debugging Techniques available. Among them, the following three are the most important.

These are the practices that are done by the Developers often to check their written code. And we will recommend doing the same with the code frequently to have a habit. So, let us check the first one where the Print Statements will be used.

Java Debugging Techniques

1. Print Statements Debugging:

In this particular case, the Print Statement will be used in between the code. It is a simple practice where there is no need for any External Libraries & Plugins. If you use this practice, you will get the Print Value after a successful statement.

				
					public class Main {
    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int a = 5;
        int b = 10;
        System.out.println("X: " + x + " And Y: " + y); // Print Statement For Debugging
    }
}
				
			

If there is any problem in any statement, then the Print Value after that statement will not be executed. And hence, the problem can be figured out!

2. Logging Frameworks:

The Logging Frameworks are another important technique that can be used. It is an External Plugin that should be installed on the IDE. The Logging Frameworks are used to track the execution of the code that helps to find out the error.

				
					import org.apache.log4j.Logger; // Logger Package

public class Main {
    // Making Logger System
    private static final Logger logger = Logger.getLogger(Main.class);

    public static void main(String[] args) {
        int a = 5;
        int b = 10;
        // Storing Information In Logger
        logger.info("Starting the add method with a: " + a + ", b: " + b);
    }
}
				
			

The Logging Frameworks rarely print any object in the Output Screen. Because these frameworks are only used to track the system not for printing anything.

3. Unit Tests Debugging:

The Unit Tests Debugging Process is another good approach. In this case, the code will be checked line by line without any kind of issues. In this case, the Code needs to be written in a different format which can sometimes create issues.

				
					// Packages For Test Of Each Units
import org.junit.jupiter.api.Test;
import static org.junit.jupiter.api.Assertions.*;

public class Main {
    @Test
    public void testAdd() {
        assertEquals(15, add(5, 10));
    }

    public static int add(int x, int y) {
        return x + y;
    }
}
				
			

The Code written in the previous examples is written here as well. However, the appearance of the code is different & that you have to learn to understand the process.

In case if you face difficulties in writing the above Java code then you can check out our article on tackling challenges for improving Java coding skills.

What Are Some Java Debugging Tips?

Now, before ending the topic, we would like to give some Tips on Java Debugging that will certainly help you out. The entire concept you have understood very well. Now, it is time to incorporate it into your Java Programming Questions. That is the reason, the best tips are needed.

Java Homework Help

These are the tricks that are going to shape your future. All the tips that we are going to discuss here should be followed from the start of the development of any code. So, let us have a look at the following points for a better & clearer understanding.

  1. Write Clean Code: If you have a vision to debug the code, you have to start work on it from the beginning. And this starts from writing a clean code. If the code is not clean enough, it will be difficult to understand the flow.

  2. Comment In Code: Each time you write the code, you need to put down proper comments there. The Comments will help to understand the logic of others. Hence, the Debugging will become a lot easier.

  3. Use Proper Indentation: Another big tip to debug the code simply is to use the Proper Indentation Process. In the Indentation, the code appears in a proper structure that helps to go through the code very easily.

  4. Use Naming Conventions: While giving the Name to the Variables, Pointers, Classes, etc. make sure to give some name that suits the Logic to develop the certain element. Don’t provide Random names there.

  5. Develop In Installments: Try to develop the code in the Installments, not in a single stretch. This will reduce your way of thinking logically. And you will make more mistakes that will increase the Debugging.

  6. Use A Good IDE: To work on the Debugging, you have to get a good IDE. Along with the IDE, the Debugger comes which will reduce the workload. However, you need to understand the working process of the IDE & Debugger.

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Conclusion:

In the end, knowing the “Java Debugging Tips” is very much necessary to progress in the future.

However, knowing only the tips for Debugging will not help you out. For that purpose, you need to know the Java Development Process as well. To do so, you have to Start Learning Java from scratch.

If you are looking for Final Year Java Project Ideas then you can contact us as well.

Takeaways:

  • Debugging is the process that helps to find out the Errors or Bugs in any Coding Language.

  • The need for Debugging is as crucial as the Development Process.

  • Different IDEs, Dedicated Debuggers, etc. can be good tools to work on the process.

  • Every Debugger goes through a certain number of steps to get the Error in the program.

  • Print Breakpoints, Testing of Units, etc. can be done to figure out the Errors in the Java Code.