Keeping LOG

[esgici]

Hi All

Code debugging is un-ignorable need for every programmer and DEBUG facility of Clipper / Harbour / HMG is very handy; with a little drawback :
it's highly complex due to its features and not easy to learn and use.

For a little purpose, a little Msgxxx functions ( especially MsgDebug() of our genius Dr. Soto ) will be enough in many time, under many circumstances; remembering WAIT and ALERT() of console mode.

And we have a little problem too in this method : if required 'repetitive' calls ( such as into a loop ) of that Msg function, requiring repetitive answers may be annoying.

In this condition we need a "log" file to records repeating values.

My preference ( IMHO the easiest way to build a text file ) is using and ALTERNATE file.

Pseudo code :

Code: Select all

   build an empty log file
   
   begin loop
     .
     .
     .
     use "?" or QUOT() to write the log file
     .
     .
   end loop
   
   close log file and show content

Here two little and simple procedure to Open / Close and show log file



I hope will be useful.

Happy HMG'ing

[bpd2000]

Thank you Esgici

[Rathinagiri]

Nice example Esgici.

I create many text files (for report printing in old dot matrix printers) in a HMG application using set alternate. In that case, will this logic work?

[esgici]

Thanks Rathi

I create many text files (for report printing in old dot matrix printers) in a HMG application using set alternate. In that case, will this logic work?

Sure; this is for building (text) file only, printing is other side of subject

Simply you may need some little modification on 'defaulting parameters" points: you may want no defaulting file name parameter and produce an error message such as "no file name specified" or anything else. Or your default target file name will be different, FE "report.txt" instead of PROCNAME( 1 ) + ".LOG"

IMHO important point is : since '?' and QOUT() are for console, in GUI mode has no effect. Bu this not means "this command / function doesn't work on GUI mode"; instead, as seen in the example, they are working and makes their job successfully

Best regards and Happy HMG'ing

[Rathinagiri]

I mean I am already using 'set alternate' in my existing HMG application for other text file creation. In that case both this log file and that text file will work separately?

[serge_girard]

Esgici,

What I use/do is following:

Code: Select all

SET PRINTER TO C:\folder\debug.TXT  
SET PRINTER ON 
SET CONSOLE OFF

<your loop>
? what_ever
....
...

SET PRINTER TO   
SET PRINTER OFF 
SET CONSOLE ON

The file C:\folder\debug.TXT is open in my editor for viewing.

Greetings, Serge

[esgici]

I mean I am already using 'set alternate' in my existing HMG application for other text file creation. In that case both this log file and that text file will work separately?

As far as I know no

Because there isn't a way to change target of '?' / QOUT() to this or that media / file.

Nevertheless we have other ways to write something to separate files.

I will work to build a sample for this.

Happy HMG'ing

[esgici]

What I use/do is following:

Yes, this way too is legal and possible.

Please look at here.

Happy HMG'ing

[esgici]

Hi All

...
Nevertheless we have other ways to write something to separate files.

I will work to build a sample for this.

As promised :

Screen shoot

TestWTMTFSFT.jpg (9.75 KiB) Viewed 5486 times

WTMTFSFT.zip

Source and sample data file

(5.24 KiB) Downloaded 305 times

Look at ReadMe file for detailed info.

Happy HMG'ing