# Introduction to Breakpoints

A breakpoint is a location in your program where you want the program to stop executing. You can set and clear breakpoints in either the source editor or the Breakpoints window.

In the source editor, you can set or clear a breakpoint in a line of code. Use the Breakpoint button on the Edit/Debug toolbar to quickly set a breakpoint. Click this button again to remove a breakpoint from the current code line in the source editor.

In the Breakpoints window, you can set or clear a breakpoint at a line of code, in a method, on an expression, or after a specified number of hits. This window also displays all breakpoints set in your program. Choose Debug -> Breakpoints to open the Breakpoints window.

Using the Breakpoints window, you can set a breakpoint while your program is running. When you set a breakpoint, you must specify a class and either the name of a method or a source file line number. If you specify a method name, the breakpoint is set in the first instruction in that method. The program runs to the breakpoint and stops.

JDE supports "persistent" breakpoints. The breakpoints remain in the proper line of code even when your program changes.

See also:

  Using the Breakpoints Window
  Setting a Breakpoint in a Line
  Setting a Breakpoint in a Method
  Setting a Conditional Breakpoint
  Setting a Counted Breakpoint
  Running to a Specific Location