Debug Log

General Discussion
1

As a new module developer, one of the things that would be really helpful is getting some sort of debug log that showed all the property value transitions, and which traits were firing. As it is I tend to just have a module that doesn’t work, and very little to go on.

Is there any way to get such a log?

2

See this very similar thread started just the other day for some ideas: https://forum.vassalengine.org/t/debug-mode-text-editor/10609/1

3

Just don’t be intimidated by the first few messages (about editing XML files and stuff) – skip down to e.g. shilinksi’s message that has some totally workable ideas w/in the structure.

A quick summary of ideas is:

  • Text Label traits that show the states of things
  • Report traits to tell you what’s happening step-by-step during execution
  • Game Piece Inventory windows where pieces can report stuff “en masse”
  • Report trait activated by a keystroke on a piece, so out of the way until you do a keystroke to tell a piece to “spill its guts”
4

Thanks guys - the inventory window is particularly useful. Now at least I know what’s happening, even if I don’t know why it’s happening!