JD-GUI

What JD-GUI is

JD-GUI is a free graphical Java decompiler for viewing reconstructed source from compiled CLASS files. Its color-coded display lets users inspect methods and fields, browse CLASS files, and navigate Java module hierarchies. It also handles JAR, WAR, EAR, AAR, KAR, JMOD, and ZIP files. For stack-trace investigation, users can drop in a LOG file; JD-GUI decompiles the referenced CLASS files and shows the line associated with the trace. The Java Decompiler project describes its tools as intended for Java 5 bytecode and later. JD-GUI is written in Java, released under the GPLv3 License, and supports bytecode decompilation, not native-code decompilation. It is available for Linux, macOS, and Windows, with releases listed as a JAR, RPM, DEB, macOS TAR, and Windows ZIP. The related JD-Eclipse plug-in displays Java sources during debugging in Eclipse. The project links to GitHub issues for JD-GUI support.

Who it suits

JD-GUI suits people who need to inspect reconstructed Java source from bytecode, browse archive contents, or follow Java stack traces. It is available on Linux, macOS, and Windows.

Limits

The free JD-GUI plan supports bytecode decompilation but not native-code decompilation.

Getting started

1. Visit the JD-GUI website.
2. Choose a release format for your platform: JAR, RPM, DEB, macOS TAR, or Windows ZIP.
3. Open supported CLASS files or archives and browse the reconstructed source.
4. Drop a LOG file into JD-GUI to inspect source lines associated with Java stack traces.

Verdict

JD-GUI focuses on browsing Java bytecode as reconstructed source, including files referenced by stack traces. It does not cover native-code decompilation.