Variables view

The Variables view displays information about the variables associated with the stack frame selected in the Debug View. When you debug a Java™ program, variables can be selected to have more detailed information be displayed in the detail pane. In addition, Java objects can be expanded to show the fields that variable contains.

The Variables view is shown with columns. The detail pane is the area at the bottom of the view to display text.
There are many commands available in the Variables view:
  • View Display Commands affect what variables are displayed and how they are presented.
  • The detail pane has many commands available by right clicking it.
  • View Layout Commands affect how the detail pane is oriented and whether columns are displayed.
  • Other commands are listed below:
    Table 1. Variables view commands

    Command

    Name

    Description

    Availability

    All Instances Opens a popup dialog displaying a list of all instances of the selected Java type. Your Java virtual machine must support instance retrieval. Context menu
    All References Opens a popup dialog displaying a list of all Java objects that have references to the selected variable. Your Java virtual machine must support reference retrieval. Context menu
    Change Value... Allows you to change the value for the underlying selected variable. Context menu
    Collapse All Collapses all the currently expanded variables. View action
    Copy Variables

    Copies the selected variables to the system clipboard.

    Context menu
    Create Watch Expression Allows you to create a watch expression for the selected variable. Context menu
      Find... Opens the search dialog to find elements in the Variables view. Context menu
    Inspect Creates a new inspect statement for the selected variable and adds it to the expressions view. Context menu
      Instance Breakpoints... Allows you to filter existing breakpoints to the selected variable instance. Context menu
      Java Preferences... Opens several preference pages containing options that affect the view. View action
      New Detail Formatter... Allows you to create your own detail formatter for that type of variable. Context menu
      Open Actual Type Opens the actual type of the selected variable. Context menu
      Open Actual Type Hierarchy Opens the actual type hierarchy for the actual type of the selected variable. Context menu
      Open Declared Type Opens the declared type for the selected variable in a new editor. Context menu
      Open Declared Type Hierarchy Opens the type hierarchy for the declared type of the selected variable. Context menu
      Select All Selects all of the variables in the view. Context menu
      Show Logical Structure Allows you to select a formatter for showing the selected logical structure type variable. Context menu
      Edit Logical Structure Opens preference page to edit logical structures. Sub Context menu
      Show Details As... Allows you to select a different detail pane for showing detailed information about selected variables. Context menu
    Toggle Watchpoint Creates a new watchpoint on the currently selected field or removes the watchpoint if one already exists. Context menu