Unlock Faster Java Apps with GraalVM: Run, Native‑Compile, and Polyglot Programming

Preface

GraalVM helps developers use Java better in three ways: faster JIT compilation, compiling to instant‑start low‑memory native binaries, and supporting multiple languages.

This quick reference is a one‑page summary of what GraalVM can do and its key options and commands.

1. Running Java Applications

GraalVM distribution includes a JDK, so you can compile with javac and run Java or any JVM language. It uses the HotSpot VM, so most JVM options apply. javac MyApp.java Run the application: java -jar MyApp.jar Specify classpath: java -cp target/myapp.jar com.example.Main GraalVM’s compiler usually runs in pre‑compiled native library mode, but you can configure modes with options such as -XX:+-UseJVMCINativeLibrary, -Dgraal.CompilerConfiguration=enterprise|community|economy, and enable compilation logging with -Dgraal.PrintCompilation=true or dump graphs with -Dgraal.Dump=:2. Java agents can also be attached.

-javaagent:path/to/jar.jar
-agentlib:path/to/native/agent

2. Compiling to Native Executables

The Native Image feature compiles applications ahead‑of‑time into binaries. Install the native‑image component first: gu install -L native-image.jar Generate a binary:

native-image [options] MyClass
native-image -jar MyApp.jar
./myApp

To build a shared library use --shared with @CEntryPoint. For a statically linked binary add --static --libc=muslc.

--shared
--static --libc=muslc

3. Polyglot Programming

GraalVM can run Truffle‑based languages such as JavaScript, Ruby, Python, R, and LLVM. Enable languages with options like --language:js, --language:python, etc.

--language:js
--language:python
--language:llvm
--language:ruby

Native Image supports profile‑guided optimization (PGO) to improve performance:

native-image — pgo-instrument MyApp
./myApp
native-image — pgo profile.iprof MyApp

Trace class initialization with -H:+TraceClassInitialization=package.class.Name and attach a debugger with --debug-attach=[port]. Additional options are listed with --expert-options-all.

Run language‑specific launchers (node, graalpython, ruby, etc.) and choose execution mode with --jvm or --polyglot. Resource limits can be set, e.g., --sandbox.MaxCPUTime=Nms.

4. General Development Tools

GraalVM ships with built‑in tools such as Chrome DevTools‑based debugger, CPU sampler, CPU tracer, and memory sampler, enabled with:

--inspect
--cpusampler
--cputracer
--memsampler

Conclusion

GraalVM is a versatile platform offering a high‑performance JIT compiler, native‑image generation, and polyglot runtime for Java, JVM languages, JavaScript, Ruby, Python, R, and more. Download the quick‑reference PDF, print it, and explore the many capabilities.