The Local Variables window lists the local variables that are within the current
call. By default, the Local Variables window opens automatically whenever you
start a debugging session. You can open the Local Variables window by choosing
Window Debugging
Local
Variables (Ctrl-Alt-1).
If you open the Local Variables window when a debugging session is running, it closes automatically when you end the debugging session. If you open the window when no debugging session is running, it stays open until you close it.
The information given for each variable includes the variable name, type, and value. You can click the turner control to the left of the name to expand or collapse the variable. If the object type is displayed in blue underlined text, clicking the text jumps to the object type in the source code. You can click in the Value cell to edit the value directly in the Local Variables window.
In some cases, the Java 2 debugger assigns a pound sign (#) and a number as the variable's value. This number is an unique identifier of the given instance. You can use this identifier to determine if a variable points to the same or to a different instance. You cannot edit this value.
The following table describes the icons displayed to the left of the object name.
Icon | Description |
---|---|
![]() | Local variable |
![]() | Container for a superclass |
![]() | Static field of an object |
![]() | Non-static field of an object |
The contextual menu in the Local Variables window includes the following items.
Menu Item |
Description |
---|---|
Create Fixed Watch | Creates a fixed watch of the selected object. A fixed watch displays the specified object or memory location regardless of the current context. |
Display As | For objects of type integer only. Determines how the value of the selected object is shown. The choices are decimal, hexadecimal, octal, and binary. |
List Options | Enables you to customize the display of the Local Variables window, including adding and removing columns of information, reordering the columns, and sorting the columns. See Customizing a Debugger Window for more information. |
Properties | Displays the properties of the selected object. |
See Also | |
---|---|
Current Context in the Debugger
Making a Call Current Modifying the Value of a Variable Creating a Fixed Watch Debugger Windows |