What you'll learn

Finding a quick code change that makes an error disappear is not the same as understanding and correcting its cause. In this course, Java SE Foundations: Debugging Fundamentals and AI-assisted Workflows, you’ll learn how to investigate Java defects systematically and use AI assistance without replacing your own reasoning. First, you’ll learn how to classify compilation errors, runtime exceptions, and incorrect behavior, and select an appropriate diagnostic approach. Next, you’ll interpret stack traces, distinguish application code from JDK and framework internals, and communicate the context needed to obtain actionable guidance from other developers and AI assistants. You’ll also use profiling tools and garbage collection logs to investigate performance problems, memory behavior, and excessive resource consumption. Finally, you’ll use breakpoints, stepping, watches, and expression evaluation to test root-cause hypotheses and critically evaluate proposed fixes. When you’re finished with this course, you’ll have the skills and knowledge needed to diagnose functional and performance-related Java problems, verify their root causes, and apply well-supported fixes using debugging and profiling tools, runtime evidence, and responsible AI-assisted workflows.