Ruben Laguna's blog

Feb 22, 2008 - 2 minute read - attach debug jar library module netbeans source wrapper

Attach source code to a Netbeans Library Wrapper Module

I’m new in NetBeans and today I’ve been struggling a couple of hours with the simple task of attaching the source code for an external JAR (NetBean Library Wrapper Module).

nb_add_library_wrapper.png

I’ve been trying to find in google how to do it without success until I reached this post in the netbeans-users mailing list.

Then I realized that I should been looking into the NetBeans Help first. The entry at Help -> Help contents -> Java Applications -> Debugging Applications -> Attaching Source Code to a JAR File explains how to do it.

first go to Tools~~Libraries to open the Library Manager. Then click on New Library. Give it a name and select the jar. +But you should be careful when adding the Library, though. You must point to the JAR file INSIDE your module library wrapper (that’s <module library wrapper folder>/release/modules/ext/) NOT to the original location of the JAR. (As pointed out in the Help~~> Help contents -> Netbeans Modules -> Getting started -> Module and Rich-Client Application Tasks: Quick Reference -> Attach source code to libraries for debugging.)

nb_library_manager.png

Then you should add the library’s source folder in the Source tab of the Library in the Library Manager (you can point to the Javadoc as well).

NOTE: If you plan to attached the sources to the jar because you would like to stepping into the library’s code while debugging, or set a breakpoint in the jar, then you should make sure that the sources are marked for debugging. What?!? Yes, I know. This sounds weird but you have to do it. Start the debugging session in Netbeans open the Sources window (Window~~Debugging~~>Sources) and locate the sources folder in the table, check the box “Use for debugging”.

Sources window