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I think that Debugger window - Watches tab should be improved. In my first idea the window would have two section. First section would present class and instance variables of current class, in default all variables but user could filter it. In second section there user could define custom sets of watches and switch between them. Also user could set "rules" when some set of watches will be shown - for instance set containing watches on local variables from some method will be (automatically) displayed when this method will be entered. [jchalupa] Microsoft`s VJ++ (and maybe other tools as well) has a similar feature. The Watch window is split into two panes. One pane displays the standard Watches as set by the user. The other pane a utomatically displays variables accessible within the current context. In addition, the most recently modified variable is highlighted. Typically, the context watch window displays local variables of the currently executed method, or instance/class variables of the current object. I find this very convenient, because it doesn`t requir e any additional setup on the user`s side. The selection of variables is automatic and most of the time it`s everything the user needs. I found myself using the standard (user-set) watches very rarely .
Priority is changed to P4 (normal).
Filtering of variables hierarchy which holds for watches tab too is one of features planned for one of next releases. See http://debuggercore.netbeans.org/docs/NewFeatures.html#Filtering_of_variables_hi erarchy
Resolved for 3.3.x or earlier, no new info since then -> closing.