Running Apache Tomcat as a Windows Service for Remote Debugging

Download Apache Tomcat

• Go directly to the  Apache Tomcat Site , select the version you prefer for download. 
• However, it is always advised to use the latest version unless you have a constraint or a specific reason.
• Select the  32-bit/64-bit Windows Service Installer  version

• Execute the install as a regular installation.
• Go the installed file location -> bin and run  Tomcat8w.
  • The Tomcat executable will start a Tomcat instance instead of the service management window.
• The Tomcat Service Window will appear:

Here you can start stop the Tomcat service and manage the properties.  Moreover, you can set the start-up type of the Tomcat server to either Manual or Automatic depending on where the service will start when your system starts up.

Apache Tomcat Configuration for Debugging

• Go to the Java tab :

• Add the following under the Java options area:
  • Xdebug
  • Xrunjdwp:transport=dt_socket,address=8000,server=y,suspend=n

Here you can even set the environment related variable for Java as well.

Restart the Tomcat server and then it will be ready for remote debugging through port 8000.

Note: Here it seems the jpda run is not working as expected when it is set under the startup tab.