FlowStorm vs GDB

FlowStorm is a tracing debugger for Clojure and ClojureScript. It records execution without requiring breakpoints or code changes, then provides tools to step through code, inspect values, explore calls and functions, and investigate exceptions. A timeline displays execution events so users can follow how instructions from different threads interleave. The debugger also supports customizable real-time visualizations and plugins for specialized ways to examine recordings. Values shown in its interface can be sent to the REPL with one click, and recordings can be analyzed using Clojure. The guide covers ClojureScript in browsers, Node.js, and React Native, as well as remote debugging configurations and integrations for Emacs through Cider Storm, VS Code, and IntelliJ IDEA. FlowStorm is free and open source at free, and is listed for Linux, macOS, Windows, and self-hosted use. Minimum requirements are JDK 17 or later and Clojure 1.10.0 or later. Vanilla FlowStorm does not support async/await introduced in ClojureScript 1.12.145; the guide points to ClojureScriptStorm as an alternative.

GDB is a free debugger for inspecting a program as it runs or after it crashes. It can launch programs, stop execution under specified conditions, examine the stopped state, and change program state for experimentation. A target can run on the same machine, remotely, or in a simulator. GDB runs on popular UNIX variants, Microsoft Windows, and macOS, and supports languages including C, C++, Rust, Go, Ada, Fortran, Assembly, and others. Debugging options include conditional and exception breakpoints, core dump debugging, and record-and-replay with forward and reverse execution on supported platforms. For remote debugging, gdbserver connects a program to GDB. The console interpreter and GDB/MI are available, while Python extensions and the Debugger Adapter Protocol require Python support at build time. GDB is part of the GNU Project and is free software under the GNU General Public License, which allows copying, adaptation, and redistribution with source access. Official releases are available from GNU and Sourceware, with signature verification through the GNU keyring. Version 18.1 was released on September 25, 2026.