Heap dump generation and analysis tools

Several tools are available for heap dump generation and analysis. Both IBM and Oracle provide some tools to assist with these tasks on their respective JVMs. Other vendors also provide some tools that aim to assist with these tasks on the most common JVM platforms.

IBM-only tools for heap dump generation

IBM provides tools that can assist with heap dump analysis. You can find information on these tools on the IBM Support Assistant web site.

IBM also provides the IBM DTJF feature for Eclipse Memory Analyzer for use in analyzing IBM JVM heap dumps. You can tune the tool to use a larger heap, which is frequently necessary to analyze very large heap dumps.

Oracle-only tools for heap dump generation

Oracle Java Monitoring and Management Console, or JConsole, is a management tool that connects to a running Java HotSpot VM. You can trigger a heap dump by using jConsole. Refer to the following Oracle document for more information:
  • Using JConsole to Monitor Applications
Oracle bundles the Java Heap Analysis Tool (jhat) with Java HotSpot VM 1.6. Therefore, if you want to analyze a heap with jhat, you can install Java HotSpot VM 1.6 and use the jhat release provided. Refer to the following Oracle document for more information:
  • Java Heap Analysis Tool
Oracle jVisualVM is another multipurpose tool that you can use to analyze heap dumps. Refer to the following Oracle document for more information:
  • Java VisualVM

Generic tools for heap dump generation

YourKit is a commercial product that provides many functions. You can use YourKit to connect to the JVM, analyze the JVM, and trigger heap dumps. It also provides some very interesting heap dump analysis tools.

JProbe is another commercial product providing many capabilities, including heap dump analysis.

Guidewire development mainly uses YourKit with good success. Guidewire Support uses YourKit and several other products like jVisualVM, the IBM DTJF feature for Eclipse Memory Analyzer, and JProbe.