What are alternatives to jstack and how do they compare?

When it comes to diagnosing Java application performance issues, jstack is a popular tool for capturing thread stack traces. However, there are several alternatives you might consider, each with its own advantages and limitations. Below are some notable alternatives to jstack:

• VisualVM: This tool provides a visual interface to monitor and analyze Java applications while running. It also integrates profiling and memory analysis.
• Java Mission Control (JMC): JMC is a powerful profiling and performance analysis tool that comes with JDK and provides detailed insights into Java applications, including thread analysis.
• Java Flight Recorder (JFR): JFR is a low-overhead profiling tool that captures detailed information about the running JVM. It can be used in conjunction with JMC for analysis.
• Thread Dump Analyzer (TDA): A specific tool designed for analyzing thread dumps, making it easier to visualize and find problematic threads.

While jstack is a quick and straightforward way to get thread dumps using the command line, tools like VisualVM and JMC offer richer details and analysis capabilities that can aid in more complex diagnosis. The choice of tool often depends on the specific requirements of the analysis.