Debugging Xtend code

The Java code generated by Xtend is clean and easy to debug. However, it is also possible to debug Xtend code directly (instead of the generated Java), thanks to the complete integration of Xtend with the Eclipse JDT debugger.

This means that you can start debugging a Java application that at some point invokes Java code that has been generated by Xtend and, stepping through that, automatically brings you to debugging the original Xtend source. The next screenshot shows a debugging session of Xtend code. Note that all the JDT debugger views are available; furthermore, implicit variables such as it can be inspected in the Variables view:

You can also debug an Xtend file (for example, containing a main method) directly, since all the Run and Debug configuration launches are available for Xtend files as well. Breakpoints can be inserted in an Xtend file by double-clicking on the breakpoint ruler in the editor (currently, the Debug context menu is not available for Xtend files).

If, for any reason, while debugging Xtend code you need to debug the generated Java code, you can do so by right-clicking on the Debug view on an element corresponding to an Xtend file line and selecting Show Source (refer the following screenshot).