IntelliJ IDEA Debugging: Master Java 25 & Maven Workflow

Stop using print statements. Learn advanced debugging in 1 hour to fix bugs in Java 25 apps and tests with confidence.

In one hour, you’ll learn a practical, hands‑on workflow for debugging modern Java (Java 25 + Maven) directly in IntelliJ IDEA.

Every concept is demonstrated in code, so you can follow along step by step and immediately apply what you learn in your own projects.

What you’ll learn

• Set, configure, and manage line, conditional, logging, and exception breakpoints with confidence.

• Step through code execution and inspect variables, the call stack, and threads to find the real root cause of bugs.

• Use Evaluate Expression and Watches to test fixes without changing your source code.

• Debug modern Java 25 features (streams, lambdas, pattern matching, etc.) without getting lost in IDE noise.

• Work with IntelliJ’s debug tool window: threads, frames, variables, watches, and inline debugger hints.

• Inspect collections and objects, and safely modify variable values at runtime while debugging.

• Combine step‑over, step‑into, and step‑out actions to quickly navigate complex code paths.

• Use IntelliJ’s built‑in regex tools together with the debugger to design, test, and fix complex regular expressions directly in your Java code.

• Debug applications and tests using Maven

  
  

Why this course

Most developers only use the debugger as a last resort when something breaks badly.

This course shows you how to use IntelliJ’s debugger as a normal part of daily development, so you can:

• understand unfamiliar code faster,

• diagnose issues more systematically,

• and fix bugs with far less guesswork.

Instead of abstract slides, you’ll see realistic debugging sessions in a real project, using Java 25 and Maven.

How you’ll learn

The course is structured as a sequence of short, focused lessons, each built around a specific debugging scenario:

• You first see the problem in a running Java application.

• Then you watch how to diagnose and fix it step by step using IntelliJ’s debugger.

• You finish each lesson with a clear, repeatable technique you can reuse in your own work.

All sample projects are provided as Maven modules targeting Java 25.

You can clone the repository, open it in IntelliJ IDEA, and reproduce everything on your own machine.

Along the way, you’ll also pick up:

• practical keyboard shortcuts for faster debugging,

• useful debugger settings and IDE options,

• and small productivity tricks that make debugging feel natural in your daily workflow.

Topics covered (high level)

• Running Java applications in debug mode in IntelliJ IDEA.

• Basic, conditional, logging, and exception breakpoints.

• Stepping strategies (step over/into/out) for complex code paths.

• Inspecting variables, objects, collections, and the call stack.

• Using Evaluate Expression and Watches to explore and test fixes.

• Debugging code that uses streams, lambdas, and pattern matching.

• Working with multiple threads in the debug tool window.

• Debugging and designing regular expressions with IntelliJ’s built‑in regex tools.

• Advanced debugger flow control: Force Return and Throw Exception to alter execution flow and test how your code reacts to unexpected values and errors.
  

Who is this course for?

This course is for you if:

• you write Java code (Java 8+ up to Java 25) and use IntelliJ IDEA,

• you’re tired of adding System.out.println() everywhere to understand what your code is doing,

• you want a clear, practical introduction to IntelliJ’s debugger that fits into a busy schedule.

It’s suitable for:

• junior and mid‑level Java developers who want to build solid debugging habits,

• and experienced engineers who mostly rely on logging and want a faster, more interactive way of finding and fixing issues.

If you’re still relying on print statements and guesswork, this course will give you a clear, repeatable debugging workflow you can use every day in IntelliJ IDEA.