TLDR: Step-through execution is a debugging technique that allows developers to execute a program one line or instruction at a time. This process, supported by tools like GDB (GNU Debugger) and modern IDEs such as Eclipse IDE and IntelliJ IDEA, provides a granular view of the program's behavior. By pausing after each step, developers can inspect variable states, function calls, and control flow, making it easier to locate and resolve bugs.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Debugging

During step-through execution, developers can navigate through the code using commands like “step” and “next.” The “step” command allows entry into function calls, enabling a deeper dive into specific operations, while the “next” command skips over functions, focusing only on the current code block. This level of control is especially valuable for diagnosing complex runtime errors or understanding how a program interacts with external dependencies. Tools like Visual Studio and GDB provide these capabilities with both command-line and GUI interfaces.

https://www.gnu.org/software/gdb/documentation/

Step-through execution is particularly useful in object-oriented programming contexts, where interactions between Java classes or CPP objects can introduce subtle errors. It is also invaluable for verifying loop behavior, conditional logic, and recursive functions. By analyzing the program's execution path incrementally, developers can identify discrepancies between expected and actual behavior. This technique complements other debugging methods, such as logging and breakpoints, to ensure comprehensive issue resolution.

https://docs.oracle.com/en/java/javase/20/troubleshooting/debugging-overview.html