Can't debug microservices

[blakemcbride]

I use Java microservices. I can debug them just fine with intellij. However vscode can't handle code that changes at runtime. Since intellij works, I know it can be done. Sample code at https://github.com/blakemcbride/Kiss

[github-actions]

Hi @blakemcbride, I'm an AI Support assistant here to help with your issue. While the team reviews your request, I wanted to provide some possible tips and documentation that might help you in the meantime.

It looks like hot-swapping changed classes in a running VM isn’t currently supported by the VS Code Java Debug extension. In IntelliJ this is done via its built-in support for enhanced class redefinition; VS Code’s debugger will only pick up changes after you restart the JVM.

Suggestions:

• Use Spring Boot DevTools to auto-restart microservices when code changes: https://docs.spring.io/spring-boot/docs/current/reference/htmlsingle/#using-boot-devtools
• Consider a commercial hot-swap agent (e.g. JRebel) which integrates with VS Code: https://www.jrebel.com/
• Alternatively, configure your launch.json to run in “debug” mode and manually stop/start the service after edits.

No existing GitHub issues in the VS Code Java Debug repo directly address dynamic hot-swap of runtime-modified code.

The team will respond to your issue shortly. I hope these suggestions are helpful in the meantime. If this comment helped you, please give it a 👍. If the suggestion was not helpful or incorrect, please give it a 👎. Your feedback helps us improve!

[blakemcbride]

I do not understand the "Question" tag. There is no question.

Also, here is an extended description of the same issue:

I have written a microservice system that allows me to change code while the system is running. In development, this has the benefit of not requiring any re-compiles. I can just change the code while it is running and the new code gets run automatically. This really speeds up development time.

In a production environment, I can update the system while it is running! Everything is always fully compiled. When I attempt to run a method the system notices when the source file changes and automatically re-compiles it.

It works with Java and Groovy but I mainly use Groovy because I can easily tell which are microservices and which are not. The source code for this system is available at GitHub - blakemcbride/Kiss: Kiss Web Development Framework

When I change some microcode (and it gets re-compiled and re-loaded), the debugger doesn’t understand that the code has changed. It still references the old code. This is a problem I have with every IDE except IntelliJ. IntelliJ understands and correctly handles it.

This one issue prevents me from using or recommending VSCode.

[blakemcbride]

I should add that none of the suggestions your AI made are valid in my case. My system already does what JRebel or Spring Boot offers. Why would I want to add their complexity?

Also, since my system performs hot-swaping just fine already and IntelliJ can debug it as-is this is surely a VSCODE debugger issue.