Running diagnostics

You can debug a form's operation by using the form in run mode, capturing information about its operation, and then analyzing the information.

To run diagnostics, you can use either the Diagnostics window or the Trace window.

Note: In the web client, the Trace window is labeled as Trace Viewer. In the Windows client, this window is labeled as Mongoose Trace.

Using the Diagnostics window

Before you use the Diagnostics window, you must select the types of diagnostic information that you want to be capture.

To access this window:

  • In web client, select View > Diagnostic Log.
  • In Windows client, select View > Diagnostics.

In this window, you can perform these actions:

  • Start or stop collection of messages.
  • Save message to a file.
  • Find values in the messages.
  • Filter messages based on the source, message text, or type.
  • Clear log messages.
  • Submit expressions to be evaluated by the Mongoose Parsing Utility.

Using the Trace Viewer or Mongoose Trace window

Unlike the Diagnostics window, the Mongoose Trace window or Trace Viewer is not affected by the settings on the Diagnostics tab of User Preferences.

To access these windows:

  • In web client, select View > Diagnostic Trace.
  • In Windows client, select View > Diagnostics. Then, in the Diagnostics window, click Trace. The Mongoose Trace window opens in a separate window that might be hidden behind the main window.

In these windows, you can perform these actions:

  • Start or stop collection of trace data.
  • Clear trace data.
  • Copy trace data to clipboard.
  • For users with Full User, Site Developer, or Super User editing permissions, view variables created or maintained by runtime and referenced by forms.
Note: Trace information is session-specific.

We recommend that, when you are finished troubleshooting or diagnosing, you remember to go back and disable any Diagnostics options under User Preferences that you might have enabled.