Developers commonly use Java create web applications. This doesn’t mean that monitoring Java-based applications is easy. The process of troubleshooting Java applications often means introducing a number of monitoring strategies that track infrastructure data, metrics, Java logs, and various other aspects of operation.
This article looks at strategies you can use to optimize the functionality and reliability of your Java applications, so you can provide the best possible experience to your users and catch issues in your development process before they occur at scale. We’ll begin with code profiling.
Start with Code Profiling
Experts recommend developers start Java application monitoring by code profiling. The code profiling process is a direct approach that aims to identify and pin down insufficiencies and regressions in the application’s code.
No matter what it is you’re coding, there will be room to optimize code and improve the performance of a given website or application. This process can be a challenge, especially if you go line by line. There are better ways to optimize code. Use a JS profiler to efficiently understand your code – it will help you locate and ultimately optimize any bottlenecks and quickly allow you to improve performance for your users.
The process of profiling Java code allows you to identify areas with slow performance in the Java virtual machine (JVM). In order to combat hassles in manual code profiling, developers are instead advised to download the necessary software with live code profiling capabilities that effectively detects code errors and other insufficiencies that require troubleshooting.
What is Code Profiling?
The general aim of code profiling is to locate performance issues without having to touch the application’s code. Code profilers are also able to track elements such as garbage collection and memory allocations. Depending on the profilers, they may even have the tools to track web requests and train those transactions to understand transaction performance within the code.
Code profilers often have the capability to track all the way down to individual lines of code. However, this is not always used, unless developers are attempting to chase down a central process unit (CPU) or some other memory problem.
Locate Java Log Errors Using Transaction Tracing
Transaction tracing plays a big role in tracking errors within Java logs It’s possible to use transaction tracing software to trace application transactions. The most efficient software helps locate slow transaction areas and has the ability to trace the transactions back to where it started in the log data.
What is Java Logging?
In Java, the process of logging is an application programming interface (API) that allows you to trace the errors within applications.
“When an application generates the logging call, the Logger records the event in the LogRecord. After that, it sends [the data] to the corresponding handlers or appenders. Before sending it to the console or file, the appenders format that log record by using the formatter or layouts.”
– javatpoint
While the appender is responsible for formatting the log, they are also responsible for recording log events to a specific destination, such as your electronic device or email.
The fundamental purpose of Java logging is to provide you with the information needed to identify and track an error that has occurred in an application or piece of software. It also records all necessary data needed by developers to locate critical errors if they occur. Ongoing monitoring with a tools like those offered at Dotcom-Monitor throughout your development process can assist with rapid error detection so issues can be resolved expeditiously and before they land in production.
Logging Libraries for Troubleshooting
Having a good grasp of JVM logging libraries will make the monitoring process easier, and it will also speed up troubleshooting for Java performance. One big advantage of familiarity with logging libraries is that you will be able to visit and/or revisit log data for accelerated troubleshooting.
You can use the Java logging libraries manually or through automated log management software to get specific details having to do with SMTP, server and console logs, and other important data for Java troubleshooting.
The Importance of Logging Libraries
The process of logging refers to automatically recording occurrences and data about the software program’s capabilities in order to create a documented flow of transaction. These libraries are important to many different people, including testers, developers, and other support members. They use these libraries to identify problems with the software, monitor live systems, audit, and debug after deployment.
Resolving Bottlenecks
It’s crucial to identify and resolve bottlenecks as quickly as possible in order to avoid application shutdowns and malfunctions. Users have literally millions of options at their fingertips, and once you lose a user to an error, crash, or slowdown, you may never get them back. Regular performance monitoring is essential to prevent this from happening.
Your safest bet is to assess several JVM performance elements, such as heap usage, garbage collection, and overall response time. JVM troubleshooting software automatically locates these issues and helps to speed up any needed troubleshooting.
Tracking Exceptions
When it comes to Java, the term exception likely has a different meaning than the typical person might first think. An exception is a pre-configured code line that aids in locating errors in programming. Monitoring exceptions can help in fine tuning Java performance by providing relevant corresponding exception metrics and graphical summaries.
An exception in Java indicates an abnormal condition that requires special operable techniques. In terms of programming, an exception is anomalous code that breaks the flow of normal code and requires special programming constructs to execute.
Exception Metrics
Generally an exception is an event that is either unwanted or unexpected which comes up during a program’s execution. Exceptions are manageable and can be remedied by the program, but they are still important to keep an eye on. When an exception comes up within a method, it usually creates what is known as an object. This object is referred to as the exception object. The exception contains important information about the itself, such as the description and name of the exception and exactly when the exception occurred.
There are six primary reasons why an exception might occur:
- Errors in code
- Failure of device
- Invalid user input
- Network connection lost
- Opening a file that’s unavailable
- Physical limitations
Monitoring Java Memory Usage
A little known fact about application instability and inefficient response time is that it could be due to memory shortage in Java applications. In order to ensure that your memory isn’t the culprit, you will need to monitor garbage collection (GC) on response time.
Java garbage collection is automated and looks at heap memory to identify which objects are used and which are not, and deleting the unused objects. However, just monitoring GC will not be enough, as there are other elements that need to be assessed in order to determine whether GC is affecting your memory.
The only element that can affect response times directly are GC suspensions. The goal is to draw a correlation between the suspensions caused by GC and the application’s response time. In order to do this, you will need to monitor the following:
- The deployment of different memory pools, such as Eden Space, Tenured (old) Space, and Survivor Space. The primary reason for GC activity is memory shortage.
- If memory utilization is being increased despite GC, then there is likely a memory leak, which can lead to errors. In this case, it will be necessary to conduct a memory heap analysis.
- CPU usage can be adversely affected by high GC activity, but only suspensions have a clear impact on response time. Additionally, suspensions are not only limited to major GCs. Consequently, it is necessary to monitor suspensions in relation to the application’s response time.
Web Application Monitoring Tools
Web application monitoring tools can help you in troubleshooting all your Java performance needs and quickly resolve any potential issues. Web application monitoring for businesses is not only recommended, but it is necessary.
In times past, performance monitoring was considered an afterthought, but now it’s widely considered an essential element in the construction and maintenance of web applications. Deciding not to performance test your application could mean dissatisfied users loss of revenue.
If you’re looking to find a reliable performance monitoring service, it’s important to consider some of the following:
- Active support and comprehensive knowledge-bases
- Credibility of the provider by way of reviews and social proof
- Global monitoring capacity, including behind “the Great Firewall”
- Tracking the handling of exceptions and application errors
- Log and data output with user-friendly reports
- Application performance monitoring (APM)
- Web hosting for application performance
Consider a web monitoring free trial with Dotcom-Monitor. You’ll find a service like Dotcom-Monitor offers extensive support as well as comprehensive documentation and tools that make monitoring web applications easy. You’ll be able to assess the performance of your web applications in order to gain helpful insights, improve performance, and ultimately deliver the best possible experience for your users.
