How is gdb used to debug Java programs?

Question

When gdb is used for debugging purposes in Java:

• What's its practical use?
• What are its limitations?
• How is it compared to other debuggers?

Answer 1

I would say gdb is used for debugging Java when the programmer is coming from a different language and is already familiar with gdb. Otherwise, it seems like a strange choice given that there are more popular alternatives for Java: jdb, JSwat, eclipse, netbeans, etc.

Here is a tutorial for debugging Java with gdb.

Answer 2

GDB is 99% of the time is not useful for debugging Java, but it can help you find native memory leaks which the java debuggers can't.