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.

<code>javac MyApp.java</code>

Run the application:

<code>java -jar MyApp.jar</code>

Specify classpath:

<code>java -cp target/myapp.jar com.example.Main</code>

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.

<code>-javaagent:path/to/jar.jar
-agentlib:path/to/native/agent</code>

2. Compiling to Native Executables

The Native Image feature compiles applications ahead‑of‑time into binaries. Install the native‑image component first:

<code>gu install -L native-image.jar</code>

Generate a binary:

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

To build a shared library use

--shared

with

@CEntryPoint

. For a statically linked binary add

--static --libc=muslc

.

<code>--shared
--static --libc=muslc</code>

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.

<code>--language:js
--language:python
--language:llvm
--language:ruby</code>

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

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

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:

<code>--inspect
--cpusampler
--cputracer
--memsampler</code>

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.