What are the 5 Common Mistakes that Java Debugging can Resolve?

Java, a relatively older language introduced in the early 1990s, holds its position tight even today. The popularity of Java has soared over the years, being one of the most stable & thoroughly developed programming languages. According to TIOBE, Java is this & last year’s winner — with just -0.01% change in rating.

What is Java Debugging & Why is it Important?

The presence of software bugs has a significant impact on the smooth execution of a program or an application. Building error-free codes is vital for a seamless user interface to keep a company’s reputation intact.

Java debugging put into simple terms is the process of identifying & resolving bugs that prevent correct operation within computer programs, software or applications. Debugging is arduous, but it gets more complicated in situations where various subsystems are interlinked because a bug in one system will adversely impact the others. Thus, locating bugs in the initial stage is very important to improve the quality of the code for smooth execution.

According to studies, nearly 9 in 10 developers (89%) agreed that undetected errors could have a massive impact on the business resulting in losing a significant number of users. Thus, treating these errors becomes a priority for Java programmers. Various Java debugging tools can help in organizational growth by solving the following problems:

• Program responsiveness

• Exceptions or error messages appearing in the GUI

• A core dump resulting from a program crash, etc

Top 5 Java Developer Mistakes that Java Debugging can Fix

The “Write Once, run everywhere” concept that Java follows has completely changed the web application development process over the years, but Java problems persist. If the debugging techniques in Java appropriately solve the following mistakes, it can boost the Java web development productivity to a considerable degree.

1. Omitting Existing Libraries

Java has an extensive library collection & often, developers fail to keep that in mind. Before drafting a code, it is essential to search for the available libraries that have been improved over the years, with a few available for free.

Missing out on these nitty-gritty becomes a primary reason for the housing of several bugs in the program code & hampering the ease of development work.

2. Incorrect Switch-Case Syntax

It is a significant mistake made by developers that mostly stays hidden till the execution stage. Missing the “break” keyword in switch statements’ syntax can be fatal with devastating results.

Developers can’t attain the desired output because the control flows within the code will compile through the whole “switch” statement until “break” appears. Such mistakes can be rectified with the process of Java debugging.

3. Not Freeing Up Resources

On most occasions, Java developers end up keeping the resources engaged. Ideally, once a program uses a file or network connection, developers need to free the resources without fail. Necessary steps also need to be taken in case any exception were to be made during operations on those resources.

Thus, developers can put advanced Java debugging techniques to use to streamline the application development work,

4. Memory Leaks

Memory management plays a vital role in the efficient functioning of an application & it is thus crucial for Java developers to keep track of it. Although Java implements automatic memory management, the developers need to be aware of memory usage.

Memory allocation problems commonly appear, plus as long as the program creates references to useless objects, the memory will stay full. Thus memory leaks can occur in multiple ways. Still, the primary reason is everlasting object references because the garbage collector is unable to clear the objects & free the memory as long as there are references to them.

5. Ignoring Exceptions

Leaving exceptions unhandled is not the best practice for intelligent, skilled & experienced Java developers. They are thrown on purpose; hence, addressing the problems causing these exceptions is essential. These exceptions should not be overlooked, which is why debugging Java can help in such scenarios.

Rounding Out

Java is a powerful language in the software development industry & to keep Java-based applications intact with efficient performance Java debugging is a necessary process. Thus, when hiring Java developers evaluating their expertise in handling bugs is also an essential skill to be screened to be able to build secure & engaging web applications. To receive more updates on Java debugging techniques, check this out on LinkedIn.