The Eclipse Memory Analyzer (MAT) is a powerful tool that helps developers identify memory leaks and optimize memory usage in their Java applications. In this tutorial, we'll show you how to use MAT to analyze your Java heap and find memory leaks.

To get started with MAT, make sure you have the correct environment set up. You need to have a JDK (Java Development Kit) installed on your machine, as a JRE (Java Runtime Environment) is not enough. Once you have your JDK installed, navigate to the 'File' menu in Eclipse and select 'Acquire Heap Dump'. This will open a dialog box that prompts you to choose a folder to save your heap dump file.

In this dialog box, make sure to keep the 'Leak Suspects Report' checkbox selected for a quick overview of potential memory leaks. Note that this operation can take some time if you have a large Java heap size. Once you've chosen your folder and confirmed your selection, MAT will generate a lot of other files aside from the heap dump file itself (for indexing purposes).

When the heap dump is written to disk and parsed by MAT, you'll be taken back to the first dialog box, where you can select the process you want to analyze. Apply the configuration of the Heap Dump Provider and click OK.

If this is your first time using MAT, you'll need to specify the JDK_HOME path of your JDK. For Hotspot VM users, you only need to specify the JDK_HOME path. You can also use the jmap tool (for Hotspot VM) to make a heap dump.

MAT provides two providers by default: 'jhat' and 'jmap'. You can choose which provider to use when making a heap dump. The wizard that guides you through this process is pretty useful in debug/development mode, as it allows you to acquire a heap dump directly inside MAT with just two clicks.

With MAT's built-in features, you'll be able to easily identify memory leaks and reduce memory consumption in your Java applications. As part of the Eclipse release train since Helios, MAT has become an essential tool for any Java developer looking to optimize their application's performance.

In conclusion, using Eclipse Memory Analyzer is a straightforward process that requires minimal setup and configuration. By following these steps, you'll be able to identify memory leaks and optimize memory usage in your Java applications with ease.

How to use eclipse memory analyzer